Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
January 6, 2021 - Newsletter
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Westwood Families,
Welcome back after winter break and Happy New Year to each of you. Hopefully 2021 is off to a great start for your family.
The 2020 – 2021 School Year is in full swing and before winter break, Minnesota schools received updated guidance on re-opening school for grades preK-6.
- K-6: This week, we have been working on plans to return as many students to at-school learning as possible as soon as possible. We will have more information and an update for all SLP families before the end of the week.
- We are assessing the status of our staff as we come out of the long break and working through updated health and safety guidance.
- The earliest we can begin this transition is Tuesday, January 19.
- Our intent is to bring students back five days per week.
- As we make a transition, we also will continue to operate our Extended Flexible Learning (distance) model for those who have chosen it.
- 7-12: While Minnesota schools received updated guidance on re-opening school for grades preK-6 before winter break, guidance for grades 7-12 did not change. We continue to be bound to county infection rates as a foundation to our decision making.
- We have been really encouraged to see declining infection rates over the course of our winter break. We are hopeful this trend continues.
- We have also resumed some at-school learning for students requiring specific supports and we are planning for the day when we can transition all to a less restrictive learning model – hopefully soon.
We are hopeful as we start 2021 that each of our students and staff are staying safe, healthy, and continue to learn and make connections with others.
Tom Larson
Principal
Quarantine guidance updated for COVID-19 exposures
Calendar approved for 2021-2022 school year
The calendar for the 2021-2022 school year was approved at the December 15 regular school board meeting. View the detailed calendar.
Important dates include:
- Tuesday, September 7 – First day of school for grades K-8 and Lighthouse students, orientation for grade 9 students and grades 10-12 students new to the high school
- Wednesday, September 8 – First day of school for returning grades 10-12 students who are not new to the high school
- October 18-22 – Fall break
- November 24-26 – Thanksgiving break
- December 23–December 31 – Winter break
- March 11-21 – Spring Break
- Thursday, June 9 – Last day of school
Help us stock the Panther Pantry…and have some fun along the way
The Panther Foundation is kicking off Panthers for a Purpose this month with fun for all ages in service of a worthy cause - raising much-needed financial (and food) resources for the Panther Pantry and Weekend Food Pack program. These district programs supply food for children over weekends and breaks when school is not in session. They keep kids fed and ready to learn.
Get involved
- Tune in to the virtual giving event February 27: In place of its annual gala, the Panther Foundation is producing a unique, first-of-its kind Panther experience on Saturday, February 27, 2021, premiering at 7 p.m. Mark your calendars and plan to participate. Everyone is invited! The event will be virtual, enjoyed from home, is FREE and 100% of the proceeds will support the Panther Pantry and Weekend Food Pack program. There will be an online auction and several surprises. Don’t miss it.
- Participate in three Panther Challenges: In the weeks leading up to the virtual giving event, students and families are encouraged to get involved in three Panther challenges. Challenge #1 kicks off today and runs through the month of January. Collect “Pennies for Packs,” monetary donations, for Weekend Food Packs or collect food to contribute to the Community Food Drive. On January 26 and 27 food and monetary donations will be collected at each school and at the District Services Center, 1415 – 81st Avenue, NE, Spring Lake Park.
As you collect food, search for pennies and engage in the Panther Challenges, we want to see your efforts. Share your photos and videos at pantherfoundation@district16.org. All submissions you share will be entered into a drawing for prizes.
Find more information about all of the fun activities planned and all the ways you can support the cause on the Panthers for a Purpose event page.
The next Westwood PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 25 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.
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