Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
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May 31, 2023 - NEWSLETTER
Westwood Families,
I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and enjoyed the beautiful weather. As we approach the end of the 2022-2023 school year, I wanted to share a few important updates and reminders with you.
The last day of school is Thursday, June 8. We have some exciting activities planned for our fifth and sixth graders on Friday, June 2. The PE fun day for grade 5 is 9-11 a.m. Grade 6 will have their PE fun day 1-3 p.m. To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, students should come with a water bottle, hat, tennis shoes, and appropriate clothing for outdoor activities. It's also important have sunscreen applied or with them.
Each year, our seventh graders have been actively involved in the restoration of native plants in our area. During January-March, students engaged in winter-sowing native MN prairie plants that required cold stratification. In mid-March, they began growing seeds in the classroom that did not require stratification. The 300 seedlings this year’s seventh graders tended to were planted at the Blaine Northtown Library in the watershed area today.
The kids will be excited to receive their yearbooks early next week. If you haven't preordered a yearbook, we have a limited supply available for purchase on a first come first serve basis. They are $27 and can be purchased in the main office. Please check the list posted in the office window to confirm your order. Any questions may be directed to Mrs. Powell. Be sure to secure your copy before they run out!
Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!
Tom Larson
Principal
Preparing student iPads for the summer and next year
As we near the end of the school year, it's a great time to assess the status of your student's school-issued iPad and complete a little easy maintenance. Here are three steps to getting your student's iPad ready for summer - and next school year.
- Prepare your iPad: Student iPads are required to be wiped, set up and updated. This will free up storage and ensure the iPad's software has been fully updated. Follow the instructions at our iPad Resource Hub to make these updates so your student will be prepared and successful for next school year.
- Report iPad issues: Let us know if your student's iPad is damaged, lost or stolen, or if you are having issues with accessories not working correctly. We want to get any issues resolved prior to the new school year. If accessories are lost, a fee will be applied online on Campus Parent Portal. Learn more in the iPad Repair and Fees Frequently Asked Questions.
- Use these best practices for summer: We're compiled these recommendations for the best way to care for, clean and use your school-issued iPad this summer. It's also a great time to review the district Technology Responsible Use and Safety Policy. Families have full control when and how iPads will be used over the summer. Find out how to block access to certain websites and set up Screen Time here.
- Please view our district iPad use, care and expectations document.
For technology support visit the iPad Resource Hub or contact the Technology Services Department at techsupport@district16.org or 763-600-5555.
Keep the learning going this summer
Summer provides opportunities for families to share in learning experiences together. We're offering some ideas to keep the learning going over the summer months. Your student's school-issued iPad can help support summer learning experiences.
- Ideas for reading and writing this summer: Look for books or articles that build on a family or child's interest or upcoming event. Set some time each day or week, find a special location, and read aloud with the whole family. Talk with your child about what is being wondered about and learned in the reading. Each family member might keep a journal or write letters to others to keep and share experiences.
- Where to find reading materials for children: Visit a public library to check out books or magazines, including electronic books you can download and read on an iPad through Sora. MackinVia is Spring Lake Park School's digital library. Students can log in to the app on their school-issued iPad and check out a variety of electronic books. More information is available about Sora and MackinVia in the digital toolkit under Student Online Resources.
- Math at home: Our grade K-5 resource, Bridges in Mathematics, offers Math at Home. This is available to students on their school-issued iPad and includes ideas to engage students in deep mathematical thinking that also includes some reading, writing and speaking. Access is free.
Have fun learning together with friends and family this summer!
Construction Complete
There was a buzz of excitement and pride as students, families and staff gathered for a BBQ in front of the brand new 2-bedroom, 2-bath house standing in the parking lot of Spring Lake Park High School. They were the first guests at the house the students just finished building. Students were sharing it with their families before it moves into the community to become a home.
More than 40 students in the Construction Trades course spent most of the school year learning construction trades through the hands-on experience of building a single-family house.
The Construction Trades course was a new course this year at Spring Lake Park High School. It was designed based on student interest and industry needs and is part of the Technology, Engineering and Design Pathway at Spring Lake Park High School. It is one of three Career and College Pathways that help students explore different career paths as they gain high school and even college credit.
Read more about the building journey.
Leadership transitions
As one school year wraps up, preparation is well underway for next year. Four leaders are making moves effective July 1.
- Judi Kahoun, long-time Northpoint elementary principal, shared with the Northpoint community in early May her intention to transition into retirement. She is stepping away from the principal role as the year ends.
- Tyler Nelson, associate principal at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School, will become Northpoint’s new principal.
- Steve Brady, a current associate principal at Spring Lake Park High School, will be transitioning to the associate principal role at Westwood focused on grades 5 and 6.
- Angie Shea has requested to return to her role as high school counselor after spending two years as associate principal at Westwood focused on grades 7 and 8.
Read more about the leadership transitions.
Strength and Speed Camp - grades 6-12
Panther Weight Room Strength & Speed Camp is the camp for anyone looking to get stronger and faster this summer. Participants will train three days a week with SLP coaches. The program is designed for any athlete looking to improve agility, speed and strength. Check out summer Community Education offerings and register today!
Conservation Crew Native MN Prairie Planting
Dedicated 7th grade Conservation Crew students have been busy at Westwood cultivating native MN prairie plants!
From January to March, they carefully cold stratified the seeds while nurturing others indoors. Now, it’s time to witness the growth of ~300 seedlings at Northtown Library thanks to the efforts of 30 incredible student volunteers!
Trailblazers
Students in Ms. Davé and Ms. Rodriguez's classes wrote their research paper on "Trailblazers." They got to pick from a diverse group of trailblazers: Mia Hamm, Martina Navratilova, Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Steven Hawking, Aung San Suu Kyi, Lauren Daigle, Daniel Inouye, Elon Musk, Mother Teresa, Michelle Yeoh, and so many more. Our young researchers then participated in a Wax Museum where they got to present themselves as their trailblazer and share their learning with parents and other students who visited us. Thanks to all those who came and supported us.
Pictured:
Aaron T. is representing Elon Musk, Grace M. is representing Taylor Swift, and Lauren K. is representing Daniel Inouye, the decorated AAPI senator from Hawaii.
Math Pathway
Students in Math Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 in grades 5 and 6 enjoyed a little friendly competition last week in the 2023 Math Challenge. Students challenged their brains and problem solving skills in three different challenges: One independent problem solving round and two team problem solving rounds.
Students pictured from the following math classes:
- Grade 5: Post and West
- Grade 6: Davé, Sowards, and West
Mileage Club
Mileage club has two days left! As of last Friday students/staff had logged over 2300 miles!
- Thursday, June 8: End of Tri 3, last day of school
- Thursday, June 8: Grades 7/8 staff vs. student basketball; Grade 5/6 staff vs. student games; Grade 8 field trip
- Friday, June 9: Class of 2023 graduation ceremony at Roy Wilkins, 7 p.m.
- Monday, June 26: 10th Annual Panther Foundation Panthers for a Purpose Golf Fundraiser at Victory Links
- Celebrating our 2022-2023 retirees
- Action needed: Insurance coverage renewal (for families who have health insurance through Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and Minnesota Family Planning Program)
- TCO is offering free high school sports physicals this summer (Registration opens June 12)
- Free meals available this summer
- Appreciating SLP staff
- Road Trippin’
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