Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
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December 7, 2022 - NEWSLETTER
Westwood Families,
Welcome to the start of the second trimester. I hope that you have some time as we start a new trimester and a new calendar year in a few weeks to reflect with your child on their goals and aspirations. Westwood staff is reflecting with students as they start the second trimester and setting academic and life skills goals.
Your child is surrounded at home and school by people who care about them and want the best for them. Some of our students want to be more generous, more studious, more friendly, to develop as a leader, or be happier. All of these are possible. Adolescents have a lot to say and many people in their lives to connect with and support them. Today is a great day to continue conversations about goals and aspirations.
This is a busy time of year at Westwood. We hope you are able to attend upcoming events that celebrate our students in the arts. Our students have been preparing for these upcoming events – all of which will be held at the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center:
- Dec. 9, Dec. 10 – Westwood Play: “Einstein’s Brains”
- Dec. 13 – Grade 7 Band Concert
- Dec. 15 – Grade 6 Band Concert
- Dec. 20 – Grade 7/8 Choir Concert
- Dec. 21 – Grade 5 Choir Concert
In the midst of plays and concerts is the SLP Winter Market (formerly Holiday House). Join us this Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-noon at Spring Lake Park High School (Door 29) for some holiday cheer. All are welcome for this fun, community-building event. There will be vendor tables, a Panther Store pop-up, entertainment, treats and kids’ activities and crafts.
Winter break is just a few weeks away. Plan ahead. There is no school Dec. 23-Jan. 2.
Tom Larson
Principal
Enrollment is open for the 2023-2024 school year
Enrollment is now open for the 2023-2024 school year. Families with students in any grade (K-12) can find all the information they need to learn more about SLP and enroll at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Enroll. There will be opportunities for students and families to attend events to help prepare for the next steps in the new year. Stay tuned. Please feel free to share this announcement with friends, family and neighbors.
OEC hosts 26th annual Support a Family Fundraiser
Want to join the Opportunities in Emergency Care (OEC) program in making a difference? OEC is kicking off its 26th annual Support a Family fundraiser drive to raise money to purchase gifts for students and families in Spring Lake Park Schools. Since it began in 1996, this annual fund drive has raised more than $102,000.
The program will be collecting fundraiser donations through a GoFundMe page. They are also taking donations of checks and cash. Checks can be sent to 1100 81st Ave. NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432 and written out to OEC Program-SLPHS.
The drive is open now until December 15. The OEC program thanks you in advance for your generosity!
Fall 2022 highlights: Panther athletics and activities
A new year of Panther athletics and activities brings an abundance of opportunities for each student to find connection, belonging and purpose. This year, there are 15 girls’ sports, 15 boys’ sports and 47 student-based interest clubs and co-curricular activities.
This fall, the varsity and junior varsity bowling teams each won the Class AA state tournament, junior Reilly Kopp ran at the state cross country meet, the trap/skeet/clay sporting teams placed in the top three in their conference, the football team made it to the section finals and the math team has two all-state students, one who competed in a national math competition at Berkeley.
Along with other established sports and club offerings, there are a handful of new and exciting opportunities. Panther Buddies is a club that pairs a high school student with a student at Park Terrace Elementary once per week with similar interests to provide a positive role model in their lives. Other new offerings include Alpine Skiing, Muslim Women’s Society, Equestrian Club and more.
Read more fall highlights and view the photo gallery online.
Let's Talk: Career, College and Life event series
Parents of grade 7-12 students, warm up with a cup of coffee and casual conversation with high school counselors about career, college and life topics that are on your mind. Join us next week for the first Let's Talk: Career, College and Life event on Tuesday, December 13 at 7:30 a.m. at Spring Lake Park High School.
Through these informal opportunities to connect, we hope you will learn more about opportunities your student has at SLPHS and help prepare you and your student for career, college and life at - and after - high school.
Mark your calendar for event dates:
- Tuesday, December 13
- Tuesday, January 10
- Tuesday, February 14
- Tuesday, March 7
All sessions are general and open discussion is welcomed and encouraged. You bring the questions; we bring the coffee. Please fill out this form to let us know you'll be joining us.
Westwood Boys Basketball - sign up today
Calling all boys in grades 7-8 who enjoy playing basketball and want to be part of this year's basketball team. There are two more pre-season optional practices on December 13 and 20. The season officially starts on January 4. Sign up today!
Shop the Panther Store:
The Panther Store will be open special hours over the next couple of weeks for your holiday shopping. Visit in store to get 15% off and a free gift (while supplies last). Online Store is always open, visit today.
- December 9, 4-7 p.m.
- December 10 - Winter Market Pop-Up Shop, 10 a.m.-noon, High School Cafeteria, Door 29
- December 10, noon-2 p.m.
- December 13, 4-8 p.m.
- December 15, 4-8 p.m.
Winter Market & Gift Shop
Join us for Winter fun at the Community Education Winter Market this Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m. – noon. Entertainment will be provided by the Spring Lake Park High School Band and Choir, shop the Panther Store Pop-Up and several community vendors. You will also enjoy winter themed arts activity and treats. Limited spots available for the Gift Shop where K-4 students can shop for inexpensive gifts for family members with a personal shopper.
Don’t miss this weekend’s theater performance of “Einstein’s Brains”
Einstein's Brains will be performed by 7th and 8th grade students this Friday December 9 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 10 at 2 p.m. IT’S ALIVE! Albert Einstein’s brain, that is. Sci-Fi geek and pizza delivery boy Otto and dog, Swamp Thing, must make the most important delivery of all time. Zombies and an evil mad scientist stand in their way. Can they make it? Purchase tickets for Einstein's Brains.
Restorative Circles
Mrs. Becklund and Mrs. Nelson's class have been participating in restorative circles with Ms. Krugerud. The circle creates opportunities for students to share and listen, and recognize that others have similar issues and that they are not alone. One student shared, "I like that it is quiet time to think, and I would love if we did this for morning meeting too!" Another student shared, "I like it because everyone is quiet and everyone listens to what I have to share." This class is excited and eager to continue meeting with Ms. Krugerud!
Siama Congo Roots Performance
On Monday, November 28, 5th grade students welcomed the West-African performing ensemble, Siama Congo Roots, to Westwood Intermediate! The ensemble featured many different musical instruments and the students enjoyed singing and dancing with the multiple traditional pieces from the Democratic Republic of Congo! The performers focused on storytelling through music, giving the students a first-hand experience with singing in multiple languages.
- Friday, December 9 - Grade 7-8 play - "Einstein's Brains" - FAC, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, December 10 -
- SLP Winter Market - SLPHS, 10 a.m.-noon
- Grade 7-8 play - "Einstein's Brains" - FAC, 2p.m.
- Tuesday, December 13 – Grade 7 Band Concert - FAC
- Thursday, December 15 - Staff office hours, 3 p.m. - 5p.m.
- Thursday, December 15 – Grade 6 Band Concert - FAC
- Tuesday, December 20 – Grade 7/8 Choir Concert
- Wednesday, December 21 – Grade 5 Choir Concert
- December 23-January 2 – Winter Break, no school
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