Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
January 26, 2022 - Newsletter
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Westwood Families,
Good news! We are starting to see the absence rates for both students and staff fall over the past few days. We hope this trend continues a long-term path. Thanks to the great work of many we’ve kept learning going during this latest surge. We are grateful for teamwork and the commitment to the health, safety and learning of our children. Our goal at SLP is to continue in-person learning and keep our students safe.
This is when we often communicate about winter conferences and parent/teacher communication opportunities. It’s important that you have an update on your child’s learning progress and a chance to connect with your child’s teacher.
This year, as we've shared before, we implemented office hours each month as an approach to connecting with families on student learning progress. Our next set of Office Hours is on February 10, from 3:30 – 5 p.m. Because office hours are in place, this February Westwood will not have traditional, scheduled, in-person, at school conferences in the evenings or on February 18. As always, if you need to connect with your child’s teacher(s) outside of scheduled office hours, please give them a call or send them an email.
Important dates coming up:
- January 31, 7 p.m. – Grade 8 Band Concert in the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center
- February 1, 7 p.m. – Grade 7 and 8 Choir Concert with HS Choir in the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center
- February 9, 6 p.m., Spring Lake Park High School – 8th graders and their families are invited to High School Kickoff, an open house style event. See info in the newsletter for details.
- February 17, 18 and 21– there is no school. These are staff work days and the President’s Day holiday.
Finally this week, it’s time to get your tickets for the Saturday, February 26, panther party at 7 p.m., featuring “Good for Gary.” For $75, you get a ticket to the party and you make a donation to the Panther Foundation. Learn more and get tickets on the Panthers for a Purpose event page. It’s going to be fun…
Have a great week –
Tom Larson
Principal
Free home COVID-19 antigen tests for students
Scholastic Book Fair coming to Westwood
If you would like to volunteer and help out during our Book Fair, please click here. Thank you for your support!
SLP welcome event for families new to the district
Do you know a family with students in grades 8-11 who are considering SLP Schools or are looking to enroll somewhere besides their current district? If so, tell them about the SLP Welcome event for families new to the district taking place on Tuesday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Spring Lake Park High School.
This in-person event provides an opportunity to learn more about Spring Lake Park High School, take a tour and get answers to questions. Registration is required.
Families of 8th grade students: High school registration
High school counselors will begin meeting with 8th grade students on February 2 to begin the high school registration process for next year. Middle school counselors will work with and do a final check with students during the week of February 14 to ensure students are registered for next year.
Over the next few weeks, there are multiple options that provide flexibility for students and families to explore and choose courses and learn more about what's available at the high school.
Option 1: For families who plan to attend the in-person High School Kick Off event on Wednesday, February 9, 6 p.m.
The February 9 in-person event is an open-house event where students and families can participate in presentations on a variety of topics, talk to high school staff, browse the athletics and activities fair and register for their courses if they are ready to do so. Students are asked to bring their iPads to review registration materials in real-time and add courses to Campus as they are interacting with staff.
There will be several presentations available at multiple times to help families learn more about the opportunities available at the high school. Presentations will cover:
- A general overview of the high school experience with high school principal Boucher. The presentation takes place from 6-6:25 p.m.
- Ways to earn college credits, specifically, opportunities to earn 12 college credits by the end of 12th grade (12x12) and the supports available to students to achieve this goal. The presentation takes place at 6:30, 7, 7:30 or 8 p.m.
- Career exploration through our Career and College Pathways courses that support career exploration and academic achievement in three pathways – Business and Entrepreneurship; Health and Human Services; and, Technology, Engineering and Design. The presentation takes place at 6:30, 7, 7:30 or 8 p.m.
- Spanish Immersion, with information specific for families whose students have been in Spanish immersion throughout their SLP career. The presentation takes place at 6:30, 7, 7:30 or 8 p.m.
- Q & A session hosted by high school counselors to answer any course-related questions. Q & A sessions take place at 6:30, 7, 7:30 or 8 p.m.
- Opportunities to get involved, through clubs, activities and athletics. More than 85 percent of high school students participate in at least one athletic or co-curricular activity during their high school years. The opportunity fair will will be open in the cafeteria throughout the evening.
There will also be AVID, Special Education and English Language Learners presentations during this event.
Prior to the event, we encourage families to view the high school registration page to view registration materials, including an online interactive course catalog, and talk together about course planning and prepare for this transition.
Option 2: For families who do not choose to attend the Feb. 9 event
If your family would rather not attend the February 9 in-person event because you are already familiar with the high school process, are not comfortable attending an in-person event or because this date doesn't work for you - we have you covered.
Recorded presentations on key topics, registration materials and the interactive course catalog are all available on the high school registration page.
Option 3: Families may also choose to schedule 30 minutes with their high school counselor
Starting February 10 through March, high school counselors will be available for families to schedule a 30-minute time slot to chat with a counselor in-person or via WebEx about the high school experience. A registration link to sign-up will be available soon.
With each option, we hope to provide students and families with the best experience for your situation as we work to make the transition to high school smooth.
If you have questions throughout this transition, we invite you to reach out to the high school at 763-600-5100.
Paraprofessional Recognition Week
At Westwood, we recognize our rockstar paraprofessionals whose amazing work impacts our students EVERY SINGLE DAY. Westwood wouldn't be the same without you and your hard work. Thank you for all you do! #SLPPantherProud
The next Westwood PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 28 at 6:30 p.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 31, 7 p.m. – Grade 8 Band Concert in the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center
- Tuesday, February 1, 7 p.m. - Grade 7 and 8 Choir Concert with HS Choir in the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center
- Wednesday, February 9, 6 p.m. - In-person 8th grade High School Kickoff and Registration event at SLPHS
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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