At Westwood, we are committed to educating the whole child! We know that supporting students' social-emotional well-being is critical to their success, both academically and behaviorally. We provide a variety of systems and supports as part of our Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS) program to help define school-wide routines and behavioral expectations that support a positive, safe learning environment; as well as support students in developing coping, self-regulation, and conflict management strategies. Teachers receive training on how to incorporate techniques that help students manage stress and conflict in healthy ways, as well build positive relationships with peers and adults. Below are links to information about some of our key school-wide programs.

Responsive Classroom

Dynamic Mindfulness

Soul Shoppe

Throughout the year, we will highlight strategies to share what we do to respond to students' needs every day. If you are interested in how you can support our PBIS program, please contact Mrs. Klinkner.

Attendance continues to be a priority for Westwood! We are determined to raise our average attendance rate so that our students are getting the same access to educational opportunities as their peers across the district. Please support this effort by getting kids to school on time, every day. One missed day, can mean up to 3 days of trying to catch up with the class. Students on track to miss more than 10 days over the course of the school year are considered 'at-risk'. Arriving late and missing class can be a source of stress and anxiety for many students. Let's help our kids build habits that help them thrive and prepare them for future success! Of course, if your child is ill, we want her/him to rest and get well. Please be sure to contact the office promptly to insure the absences are excused. If it's necessary to schedule appointments during the school day, plan for your child to attend class before and/or after the appointment, if possible. As always, we are here to help. If your family is experiencing challenges in providing basic needs, such as food, clothing, and health care, MDUSD has programs and services to support our families. Please let us know how we can help!

We are constantly working to monitor student progress, and striving to meet each student's individual academic needs. Teachers meet with students, and with each other, to set learning goals and identify resources and strategies to help meet those goals. Through our Response to Intervention program, students have access to leveled support at least 4 days/week for 45 min. during P.I.E. (Prevention, Intervention, and Enrichment) time. Students also have access to online lessons that meet their individual learning needs in Reading and Math, through i-Ready. Please be sure to check in with your student about how they performed on the i-Ready Diagnostic assessments, what his/her goal is, and how s/he is progressing on the lessons. Did you know they can access their lessons at home through Clever on the Student Portal? Ask you child or their teacher for their username and password. Be sure to visit i-Ready's Family Center to learn how you can help your child.

Meals - Westwood offers breakfast and lunch every day. By law, EVERY child has access to a meal card and can 'purchase' meals, unless you have asked for your child's meal card to be removed. Please be sure to create an account and check your child's balance on Titan School Solutions (even if you send your child with a lunch every day, s/he may be picking up a smoothie for breakfast!). You can also use the system to access free/reduced meal applications.

We hope some of you will be able to pop over on Saturday morning, October 19th for the EDMS Family Fun Walk, starting at 9am. There will be refreshments and various booths after the 2.5 mile walk. Strollers and dogs are welcome! Although it's too late to get a t-shirt, it's not too late to register: $8 for youth, $10 for adults! We can wear our Wildcat gear, and how our school spirit. Other schools in our Feeder Pattern will be joining the fun too. Spread the word with your students' families! See the Registration Form for all the details!

Join us for our annual Health Fair from 1-7pm on Wednesday, October 23rd on our Loma Vista campus. Free flu vaccines will be available and all can visit our sensational career programs.

Check out the flyer for more information.