Westfield Arrow
Aiming to Keep You Informed
NOVEMBER 10, 2023
From the Office
Today, we had the honor and privilege of hosting several local veterans to recognize them for their service to our country. We appreciate the veterans for taking the time to visit with our students and staff and for sharing their life experiences. We encourage students to take the time this weekend to talk with friends and relatives who are veterans and to recognize them for their service. Happy Veterans Day tomorrow to all those who served!
Parent - Teacher Conferences
If you have not had a chance to do so, please visit the teacher links in our Grade Level News section located below in the Arrow to schedule conferences with your child's teachers. Parents & guardians will have the option of visiting with teachers in person or using Google Meets. Please feel free to reach out directly to your child's teacher(s) should you need any assistance scheduling a conference.
Fall Play - Madhouse! A Madcap One-Act on 11/16 and 11/17
We hope you are able to join us for our fall play production of Madhouse! A Madcap One-Act. There will be evening shows held at Westfield on Thursday, November 16th and Friday, November 17th. Both shows begin at 7:00pm. There is no entrance fee, but donations to our Drama Program are always appreciated!
Lost & Found
Please encourage your child to check our Lost & Found if they are missing an item. We have quite a few clothing items, including a large number of hoodies and jackets. Parent-Teacher Conference time might be an opportunity for parents & guardians to check the Lost & Found as well if you are stopping by the building. Our Lost & Found is located in our Commons area.
Parent/Guardian Survey
Thank you to everyone who completed the District 13 Parent/Guardian climate and culture survey provided by HumanEx Ventures. The Westfield staff values the feedback!
Student Survey - Next week, students will also be provided an opportunity to complete a similar climate and culture survey from HumanEx. Please reach out to the Main Office if you would like your child to opt-out of the student survey.
Author visit in December
We are excited to be hosting author Neal Shusterman on December 6th. Please see the flyer in this week's Arrow for more information and to help your child pre-order his new book!
Looking ahead
Early Dismissal on Friday, November 17th. . . End of 1st Trimester on Friday, November 17th. . . No School for Thanksgiving Break from November 20th - November 24th.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Stefan Larsson
Principal
Amanda Vreeland
Assistant Principal
WARRIORS OF THE WEEK
Each week the staff recognizes students for demonstrating outstanding character based on attitudes or actions that follow the Character Counts Pillars and our WARRIORS Mission and Vision:
''We are W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S.; our mission and vision for the future are for all staff and students to be Welcoming, Ambitious, Respectful, Responsible, Innovative, Optimistic, Reflective, and Successful."
UPCOMING DATES
- November 16 & 17 Play Performances of "Madhouse!" 7:00-8:30pm
- November 17 Early Dismissal at 1:40pm
- November 17 End of Trimester 1
- November 20 & 21 Parent Teacher Conferences - sign up below in 'Grade Level News'
- November 20-24 No School Attendance for Students
GRADE LEVEL NEWS:
The teams will be updating the links weekly during the school year with news and any upcoming
- 6th GRADE TEAM
- 7th GRADE TEAM
- 8th GRADE TEAM
- EXPLORE TEAM (grades 6, 7, 8)
- P.E. TEAM (grades 6, 7, 8)
- WF SPECIALISTS (grades 6, 7, 8)
Veterans Day
WESTFIELD THIS WEEK
Congratulations to the October Art Contest Winners!
Field of Flags
Honoring our Veterans!
Illinois School Report Card - Exemplary Rating!
On October 30, 2023, the Illinois State Board of Education released the 2023 Illinois Report Card for schools. Westfield received a summative designation of Exemplary for 2023. The Exemplary rating is given to schools performing in the top 10% of schools statewide, with no underperforming student groups. This is the second year in a row that Westfield has received the Exemplary rating. We would like to congratulate everyone in the Westfield Community, including our students, staff, and parents. We are extremely proud of the students and staff at Westfield!
Schools are rated on a number of factors, including student scores on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in both ELA & Math and on the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). This year the School Report Card also included the percentage of students who showed growth on IAR in ELA & Math. For a quick comparable, here are some scores from Lake Park feeder schools showing the percentages of students who Met & Exceeded on IAR and ISA along with the growth of students relative to other students in the state in ELA & Math.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Help for Student Chromebooks
If a student needs Chromebook/Password/Repair assistance from the Technology Department, the student must use the link below to request support:
Visiting Artist in Club Create
Questions? Email Art Teacher, Mrs. Matt
'Disguise a Turkey' Student Art Contest
Questions? Email Mrs. Matt
Neal Shusterman is Coming to Westfield!
Pre-Order His New Book: Courage to Dream
Boys Basketball Tryouts are November 27th and 28th
Get Your Yearbook
If a passcode is requested: 1014041382501890
PARENT INFORMATION
Absent Student? Attendance Email is Here for You
- Absent from school
- Picked up early
- Riding a different bus
Westfield also has a 24/7 voicemail: 630-529-6211.
Athletic Competitions - Spectator Information
Home Games for Basketball and Volleyball this school year will be played in our East Gym (also known as our New Gym or Park District Gym), located in the back of the building. Please enter through Door 20. Spectator seating will be available along the bleacher side of the Gym and restrooms will be available just outside of the gym in our 6th Grade hallway.
Family members of student athletes are always welcome to attend our athletic competitions, both at Home and Away.
Westfield students who choose to stay to watch a Home Game after-school must remain in the gym for the duration of their stay. Once a student decides to leave the building, they will not be allowed re-entry to Westfield without a parent or guardian present.
Westfield students who wish to attend an Away Game at Medinah, Peacock, Roselle, Spring Wood, or Wood Dale, must be accompanied by an adult.
Spectators are expected to treat all visitors, players, coaches, referees, and staff with respect at all times. No profanity or inappropriate language will be tolerated. Visitors who are unable to follow School District 13 policies will be asked to leave and may risk losing the privilege to attend future events at the school. We encourage all visitors to immediately report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest staff member.
A Charge for Chromebook Repairs
District 13 will absorb the first $50.00 of the Chromebook repair annually.
These repair costs will be charged through My School Bucks.
District 13 Fee Payment System
MSB is a user-friendly, online payment system with a single sign-on. You can create an account, add your student(s), and see ALL of your students in one account.
Parents/Guardians:
- Registration fees for the 2023-2024 school year were posted the first week of June. Parents received an email from do-not-reply@myschoolbucks.com
- If it is not in the inbox, please check the spam folder.
- Parents must create an account in MSB. Please follow the Parent Instructions
Westfield Families:
Along with the registration fee, 8th-grade students will have their graduation fee applied to their account to be paid at the beginning of the school year. Sixth-grade students will have their lock fee applied to their account to be paid at the beginning of the school year.
'How-To' for Parents/Guardians:
FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
My Child Feels Sick...Keep Home or Send to School?
- A fever of 100 degrees or greater--they can return to school after being fever-free for 24 hours
- Vomited or had diarrhea--they can return to school after 24 hours illness-free
- An earache--they can return to school after an MD evaluation/treatment
- A persistent sore throat/cough--they can return to school after MD evaluation/treatment
- Body aches/fatigue/paleness--they can return to school when rested/stronger
- Itchy, draining eyes--they can return to school after MD evaluation/treatment after 24 hours WITH a physician's note to the Nurse
- A skin rash--they can return to school after MD evaluation/treatment WITH a physician's note to the Nurse
SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF:
- They complain of a stomachache, headache, or sore throat with NO OTHER SYMPTOMS.
- The school will notify you if the condition changes.
Please feel free to contact Westfield's Nurse, Mrs. Rider at dawnrider@sd13.org
TO ALL 7th and 8th GRADE PARENTS re: SPORTS PHYSICAL
Students may not try out without a current physical.
Questions? Email Westfield's Nurse, Mrs Rider at dawnrider@sd13.org
Excused Physical Education Class
- Please note that all PE excuses need to be sent to the Nurse's Office, not the PE teacher.
- A parent may excuse a student from PE for 3 days. Thereafter, a Doctor's note is required.
About Your Child's Medication:
- The district's medication administration policy mandates that all medication to be administered at school requires an MD order. This includes over-the-counter medications, and students may NOT keep over-the-counter meds in their backpacks or in their lockers--including cough drops, Advil, etc. This is an important safety concern! Please review the policy included in the registration process.
- If your incoming 6th grader requires an inhaler, Epi-Pen, or any oral medication, please obtain the medication form and appropriate health care plan from your physician when your child has their exam. Forms may also be obtained on the district website.
- Questions? Please contact Mrs. Rider, Westfield Nurse at dawnrider@sd13.org
WESTFIELD PARENT TEACHER ORG. (PTO)
Spiritwear Sale Nov. 6th - Dec. 8th
The Westfield Holiday Sale is live! Choose from hundreds of designs and garments that are delivered to your home! You'll save 20% off the entire site, including all new designs and product lines! Shop at
PTO Membership Dues 2023-2024
- All-School parties and dances
- Classroom 'wish' lists
- Teacher appreciation
- Scholarships
- Field Trips
- Student awards
Order Hot Lunch Online
Wholesome Food Services is pleased to bring you a delicious variety of great lunch choices from local restaurants.
>>Action Needed from Returning Families:
Please remember to update your student's ordering profile!<<
- You can place orders up until 1 PM the day before delivery (unless otherwise stated)
- You can order up to 60 days in advance
- You can cancel up until 8 AM on the day of delivery
>>New to the program?
Registration is free, and there is no obligation!
- Go to www.wholesomefoodservices.com
- Select Sign Up
- Click Create Account and follow the prompts to set up your account
- Set up a profile for each student by selecting Add New Profile under the Profiles tab
- Select School name
- Select Order Now to view menus and place orders
- Enter your credit/debit card information to pay securely online
Need help?
Call our 24/7 customer support line at 800.872.0226 or email us at support@wholesomefoodservices.com.
Wholesome Food Services donates a portion of your lunch purchases to your school.
So far, we have donated over $500,000 to schools!
Volunteers Needed for Hot Lunch
Sign up to be a Westfield for lunch just one day or all days:
Parents/Guardians: Want to Volunteer at Westfield?
- CLICK HERE to fill out what you would like to do.
- Questions? Email westfieldmpto@gmail.com for information.
Westfield PTO Contacts:
- Vice-President: Linda Korbel westfieldmpto@gmail.com
- Secretary: Loriann Hoyle
- Treasurer: Ranna Kothari
- Hot Lunch: Jill Shannon jsha25@yahoo.com
- PTO Email: westfieldmpto@gmail.com
Scan Receipts for Education All Year-Round!
Westfield Middle School collects Box Tops for Education™.
All you need is your phone!
- Download the Box Tops app
- Use the app to scan your store receipt within 14 days of purchase
- The app will identify Box Tops products on your receipt and automatically credit your school’s earnings online
Twice a year, Westfield will receive a check for whatever the school needs!
Questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact Loriann Hoyle (Box Top Coordinator) at westfieldmpto@gmail.com Thanks for your support!!
THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR
Student School Supply List 2023-2024
Otus: Student Progress
How Parents Can Log in to Otus:
- Sign in to Otus (if you have not set up your family account, please follow the directions in this video or this article to do so.)
- PLEASE READ FIRST: Your student already has an Otus account from the school district. To avoid confusion, it's best to use your own name rather than your student's name when creating the Family account. Both the video and the article have the same information. Please view whichever is more convenient for you.
- (If you have created your family account, but need to connect your student's code, have your child log in to Otus and click Edit Profile. Their student code is located at the bottom of that page.)
- To check your child's progress on Otus, click on Gradebook, then choose which class you would like to see progress in.
- To check your child's completed assignments on Otus, click on Gradebook, then click the three dots in the top right corner to change the "Grading Scale" to "Completion Scale."
Reminders
School Day Hours: 8:30am- 3:30pm.
Students are guided into the building by staff between 8:10 - 8:20am and are expected to be seated in their 1st period class at 8:30am. All classes are 44 min with a 3 min passing period. Lunchtime, Flextime, & Study Hall for all grades are between 11:38 - 12:22pm. Students will be dismissed from school at 3:30pm. All students attend the following courses: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, Exploratory, and Acceleration.
Social Worker, Sheila Zagotta (szagotta@sd13.org)
School Counselor, Lindsay Fenton (Lfenton@sd13.org)
Code of Conduct reminder
We continually review our student behavior expectations with individual students, classes and whole grade-levels throughout the school year to help ensure that all students and staff are being treated with respect and kindness.
We ask that you take a moment to see how your student is doing now that we are a few weeks into the school year and to consider the following tips:
- Encourage your child to immediately report any inappropriate behavior to a staff member so we may work to address and correct the behavior.
- Reach out to our School Counselor or Social Worker for support when needed, even if it's simply to run something by them.
- Review your child's texting and social media accounts periodically. At no time, is it appropriate for a student to use their device to target or harass another person. If you find that most conversations have been deleted, this may be a sign of negative or inappropriate conversations or interactions taking place. Remember, it's ok to remove the device if it is not being used appropriately.
- Trust that when teachers reach out to you regarding your child's behavior that our teachers are hoping to partner with you to best support your child.
- Ask your child what they did today to make another person's day more positive.
Thank you for partnering with us to best support our students and staff!
WESTFIELD SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNICATION
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
FlipGrid:
Chromebook: