Westfield Arrow
Aiming to Keep You Informed
September 4, 2020
From the Office
We want to start by saying how proud we are of our students! They have done an amazing job this week of navigating the new remote learning environment. Be sure to check out some of the "First Day of School" photos below! As each new day and week passes, students and staff will become more and more familiar with new resources and procedures. We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we all work through the challenges of this new frontier. A special thank you to our parents for all of their behind the scenes support!!
Attendance Procedures
Students are required to attend each class on their schedule every day. Attendance will be taken by teachers and recorded in PowerSchool. Parents, we ask that you call the Main Office and report any class period absences, including full day absences and Doctor appointments that require only partial absences, similar to a normal school year. Thank you!
Curriculum Night - September 17th - 5:30 - 7:00pm
This year, Curriculum Night will be held through a virtual format. On Thursday, September 17th from 5:30 - 7:00pm, staff will live-stream sessions designed to provide you with more information about their classroom curriculum and team activities. Teachers will also provide videos in advance of Curriculum Night and provide an opportunity for you to submit questions that you would like them to address during the evening. More information, including links to the teacher videos, will be shared by teachers and teams next week.
Extra-Curricular Activities
We are working with staff to create virtual opportunities for students to participate in clubs and performing arts programs. At this time, we are unable to offer traditional athletic programs, however we are working with coaches to design online opportunities for those groups as well. More information about Extra-Curricular offerings for the 2020-2021 school year will be shared in the next few weeks.
Early Release Wednesdays
Starting on Wednesday, September 9th, District 13 will follow an early release schedule on every other Wednesday. Students will attend all 9 periods at Westfield, with reduced minutes per class, and be dismissed at 1:40pm. Please see our Westfield Early Release Schedule
2020-2021 DRAFT District Calendar - Attached is the draft calendar of school dates with the Early Dismissal dates listed.
Student Pictures
A plan for Picture Day is in the works. We will communicate the date, time, and logistics as soon as we have them finalized. The original date on the calendar of September 14th has been cancelled. We hope to have the new information shared very soon.
Student Expectations for Remote Learning
The Remote Learning environment is new for all students and staff. With any new structure there are pros and cons. With Remote Learning, one of the challenges for staff is classroom management. Managing a classroom online is very different and requires every class member's cooperation. We ask that all parents take a moment and review the expectations for proper school behavior and on-line etiquette provided in the following links. Please reference our Student Handbook for general policies and procedures and this Virtual Etiquette for Google Meets infographic to assist students with Remote Learning expectations. Thank you!
Have a wonderful extended weekend!
Stefan Larsson
Principal
Nicole Gabany
Assistant Principal
Warriors of the Week
Each week the staff recognizes students for demonstrating outstanding character based on attitudes or actions that fall under the Character Counts Pillars and our WARRIORS Mission and Vision.
Upcoming Dates
Please visit our Google Calendar for all activities and schedules!
- No School/Labor Day: Monday, September 7th
- Early Release Day with 1:40pm dismissal: Wednesday, September 9th
- GO ORANGE! Day in Bloomingdale: Thursday, September 10th
- Live-Stream Curriculum Night: Thursday, September 17th
WESTFIELD THIS WEEK
Chromebook Trouble?
If you need assistance from the Technology Department, please use this link to request support.
Parents/Guardians: Please Call in Your Student's Absence
How-To Videos
Gmail:
- How to delete all email (6th grade)
- How to appropriately write an email
- You can only email other sd13.org email addresses
- Creating Bookmarks
- Starring and snoozing Emails
Google Classroom:
- How to Join Classroom(with Code)
- How to Join with Teacher Invite
- Check Stream and classwork page
- How to Turn in assignments
PowerSchool: Coming Soon
- Logging in
- Checking grades
- Seeing assignments
- Comments from Teachers
FlipGrid:
Chromebook:
District 13 Return to Learn Adaptable Plan for School Year 2020-21
Contact us if you need assistance:
Team Leaders
- 6th Grade: Mr. Cikesh - ncikesh@sd13.org
- 7th Grade: Mrs. Foley - afoley@sd13.org
- 8th Grade: Mr. Sparks - asparks@sd13.org
Social Worker
- Mrs. Zagotta - szagotta@sd13.org
Principals
- Mr. Larsson - slarsson@sd13.org
- Mrs. Gabany - ngabany@sd13.org
Technology Department
If you have a technical issue with your District 13 supplied device please complete the linked form and one of the technology team members will work with you to resolve the issue.
Character Counts
FROM BUILDING & GROUNDS DIRECTOR
WESTFIELD'S PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO)
The PTO Newsletter is coming soon!
When hot lunch returns, we'll use SignUp.com to organize Westfield Hot Lunch Volunteers.
1) Click this link to see our SignUp: https://signup.com/go/xZeejVZ
2) When school resumes, review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
FROM THE WESTFIELD NURSE
PARENTS:
The State of Illinois is not waiving the requirements for all students who have mandated health forms (physicals, immunizations, dental and eye exams), even though we are not currently physically present in the schools. Please submit the mandated forms to your child’s school as soon as possible. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact your school’s building nurse for assistance (Westfield Middle School nurse is Beth Jones bjones@sd13.org)
{Students who are transferring into our district from out-of-state must speak with the building nurse.}
The exclusion date for non-compliant students remains October 15th, except for the dental exam which is not due until May 2021.
The required forms are available at your MD/dentist offices and on your school’s website, located under “Health Information”.
Please see below for the grades which have mandated paperwork due October 15th:
Kindergarten (or 1st grade, if your student did not attend kindergarten): physical examination, up-to-date immunizations, eye exam and dental exam. (Dental exam is due in May 2021.)
2nd grade: dental exam. (Dental exam is due in May 2021.)
6th grade: physical examination, up-to-date immunizations and dental exam. (Dental exam is due in May 2021.)
Teenage Depression and Anxiety
BLOOMINGDALE PARK DISTRICT PROGRAMS
Kids Place