Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
January 12, 2022 - Newsletter
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Westwood Families,
We’re working to keep learning as normal as possible despite distractions like cold weather and COVID. Students are taking it in stride with their excitement and energy.
In grade 8, students are learning about supply and demand – a timely topic as students navigate their spending habits in the age of online shopping and what is available when they go to Starbucks on the weekend or before school.
In Science, the fifth graders have started their landforms unit. Students research various landforms, why they are located where they are and then create a 3-dimensional representation of what they learned. Later, the students will be learning and studying how erosion affects various landforms.
With the latest surge of COVID-19 cases, we’ve had some questions. Please know, we continue to follow mitigations strategies to support the health and safety of students and staff – including face masks, distancing as we are able, hand washing, cleaning, onsite testing and more.
We have no current plans to move as a school or a district to distance learning. The only way we would consider a move to distance learning is if we can’t safely staff our schools. So far, we’ve been able to creatively address absences to keep learning going at Westwood, such as:
- In grades 7 and 8, some teachers are teaching from home when able synchronously through WebEx and/or they are posting asynchronous videos, lessons, and work for students and a staff person is supervising students in the classroom.
- In grades 5 and 6, our goal is to continue to have a staff person carrying out the lesson by using our support staff to cover the classrooms when teachers are out.
Please continue to screen for health each morning and keep kids home if they have symptoms.
Reminder that next Monday is a national holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – and there is no school on Monday.
The great news about January in Minnesota? Each day, we’re gaining light – a couple of minutes each day. Have a wonderful long weekend.
Tom Larson
Principal
COVID update: 5-day quarantine guidance
We have begun to implement 5-day quarantine guidance for those who test positive for COVID-19 and are eligible. Minnesota Department of Health has given schools the go-ahead to follow this newly updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This new guidance allows those who test positive to return five days after the positive test or the onset of symptoms if they are not experiencing symptoms. If symptoms persist, they are still required to stay at home.
The guidelines also require anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to wear a face mask in public, including at school, for 10 days following their positive test. Because masks must be removed for eating and drinking, accommodations are being made to provide anyone who returns to school under this guidance a place where they can adequately distance (at least 6 feet) from others when eating or drinking until the 10-day timeframe has passed.
Please continue to coordinate any absences related to health with the school health office.
SLP website disruptions resolved
MN Student Survey coming to Westwood on January 28
MN Student Survey is the primary source of comprehensive data on youth at the state, county and local level in Minnesota and is the only consistent source of statewide date on the health and well-being of youth. It provides valuable information about issues vital to the health, safety and academic success of young people.
Westwood's students in grades 5 and 8 will be participating in the MN Student Survey on Friday, January 28. For additional information, please go to the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey website or find information on this flyer.
Parents have the option of opting out of the MSS. Please use this opt out form (Spanish Version) and send it to the Westwood Office at jsmith@district16.org.
Monthly Office hours coming tomorrow, January 13 from 3:30-5 p.m.
We will offer office hours once a month as an approach for ongoing communication throughout the year instead of an artificial timeline when parents and teachers may need to connect. Office hours will occur one time per month 3:30–5 p.m. on January 13, February 10, March 24, April 21, and May 12.
We realize that conferences, office hours and other scheduled options are not the only time that parents and teachers can connect in a month so if something arises during the week, please be sure to reach out and the staff at Westwood will do the same.
Nominate a teacher for the 2022 SLP Teacher of the Year
Do you know an educator who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? Nominate them by Friday, February 25 for Spring Lake Park Schools' Teacher of the Year!
Please download and complete a Nomination Form below and email or return the form to Spring Lake Park High School to the attention of Maria Ahrndt. Nominations are due by Friday, February 25, 2022.
This is an exciting way to recognize the amazing educators we have in Spring Lake Park Schools! Thank you for taking the time to submit a nomination. View the nominee criteria and learn more.
Shark Tank - high school style
Sometimes it's hard to imagine your child making their way in the world - what will they choose? Will they be a doctor? Business person? Mechanic? Engineer? Teacher? As they make their way through Spring Lake Park Schools, there are many opportunities to explore where their interests intersect with their future path.
At Spring Lake Park High School, students in the Business and Entrepreneurship Pathway recently pitched their ideas and business plans for new apps and products to local business leaders. In the end, everyone won with real-world feedback, insights and learning.
Take a peek at a unique high school Shark Tank experiences and what might be ahead for your student.
8th grade families: Registration timelines for the 2022-2023 school year
Registration for the 2022-2023 school year is almost here. Over the coming weeks, there will be opportunities for 8th graders and their families to learn more about Spring Lake Park High School, including course offerings, program options, graduation requirements and athletics and activities.
Registration will officially open at the end of the month. As we prepare for the opening of course registration, please be aware of and mark your calendar for important timelines and events happening over the next few months.
There are several key dates for families to know about:
- January 19, 20, 26 — Online information sessions for families. Each session is the same.
- Wednesday, January 19, 11 a.m. | WebEx Link
- Thursday, January 20, 6:30 p.m. | WebEx Link
- Wednesday, January 26, 2 p.m. | WebEx Link
- Monday, January 31 — High School registration opens for the 2022-2023 school year.
- Week of January 31 — High school counselor meet with 8th graders at Westwood to begin their orientation to the high school and to create their 4-year plan.
- Wednesday, February 9 — In-person High School Kickoff and Registration event. Additional details will be available soon.
- Wednesday, February 23 —High school registration closes for the 2023-2023 school year.
Please note, whether you attend information sessions in-person or online, you will receive all of the same great information.
Questions? Contact the High School office at 763-600-5100. The High School team is looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2026 next fall.
Opportunities for families
Family Snowshoeing - January 29 at Springbrook
Winter Seed Sowing
Opportunities for adults
Basic Home Repair-Electrical
Learn the basics of home electrical repairs and save the money and hassle of calling an electrician. In this class you will learn skills such as: proper electrical safety, wire striping, circuit testing, rewiring lamps and extension cords, and installing light fixtures/ ceiling fans. Register here.
Star Wars with North Metro TV
Building landforms in the 5B Pod
Students in Ms. Dave and Ms. Pickens' classes are building landforms in science class. Students had to design a 3D model that show the realistic placement of landforms. They built the landforms out of salt dough and will use paint props to make them more realistic. Students also had to incorporate mapping skills they learned in social studies. The final presentations will be in the form of a scavenger hunt. What an awesome job!
The next Westwood PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 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.
- Monday, January 17 - No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Wednesday, January 19, 11 a.m. - Online 8th grade High School Kickoff and Registration event | WebEx Link
- Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 p.m. - Online 8th grade High School Kickoff and Registration event | WebEx Link
- Wednesday, January 26, 2 p.m. - 8th grade High School Kickoff and Registration online event | WebEx Link
- Wednesday, February 9 — In-person 8th grade High School Kickoff and Registration event. Additional details coming soon.
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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