Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
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May 3, 2023 - NEWSLETTER
Westwood Families,
The lock-in was a big success. More than 900 students joined us for bingo, dancing, jumping, and snacks. A big thank you to our PTO for organizing the event, and to the parents and staff who volunteered.
The weather is improving, and we hope attendance does, too. Students have six weeks left of school and it is important to finish strong. Staff have reached out or will be notifying parents of students who need extra help and or who need to put forth the time to complete assignments and stay on track to be ready for the next year. Only 124 days until the new school year begins.
There is no school on Friday, May 5. We hope student and families enjoy a long weekend.
Have a great week,
Tom Larson
Principal
Last Call for YEARBOOKS!
Online Yearbook sales end May 15 or when sold out. Orders may be placed online or scan the QR code. Questions may be directed to Kristine Powell at kpowel@district16.org.
7th grade parents—final call for Washington D.C. trip
Students who will be in 8th grade for the 2023-2034 school year have the opportunity to participate in a WorldStrides trip to Washington D.C. This is an incredible trip for the students and packed with opportunities to explore all that D.C. has to offer.
When: 10/15-10/18, 2023
Where: Washington, D.C. and surrounding sites
Who: Students who will be in 8th grade in 2023-2024
What: Visit numerous museums, monuments, and other historic sites
How: Fly both ways--leave early morning 10/15 and return at night 10/18
Why: Fantastic lifetime memories :-)
Trip ID# 206356
World Strides trip information and registration link (this is specifically for Westwood).
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Visser, click here.
Last Day to sign up is June 30.
Staff appreciation shout outs
During the month of May, we are celebrating the amazing staff in our school buildings. If you have a staff shout out, story or memory you'd like to share to help us celebrate, please email us at communications@district16.org.
From house to home: Do you have a lot connection?
The house in our high school parking lot is almost complete as a home. Students have made amazing progress this year and are learning so much each day as they gain some incredible experiences.
Our hope is this house becomes a home in our community. If you have a connection to people or organizations who have a lot for this home, please contact Eric Van Brocklin at evanbr@district16.org.
Class of 2023 Senior Spotlight
It's time to shine a light on members of the Class of 2023.
These students have been an invaluable part of our Panther community and we're cheering them on as they pursue further education, a career or trade, take a role with the military or do something else altogether. They’ve made us proud in so many ways and we know they will go on to do great things.
Read about some of their future plans, favorite experiences, accomplishments and what makes them Panther Proud!
Live on 65: Enjoy Copper Street Brass and That 70’s Show
Cooper Street Brass is coming to the Fine Arts Center stage on Monday, May 15 at 7 p.m. Copper Street Brass is a full-time arts ensemble based in Minneapolis, MN. The concert theme, "That 70's Show" will cleverly feature music from the 1770s, 1870s and 1970s from classical and opera, jazz and folk, to rock and disco that is sure to entertain the whole family. Purchase tickets online.
Catch a glimpse of what it's like to see Copper Street Brass live in concert!
Summer SPARK program highlights of the week
- Intro to Swim Team (grades 7-9)
- Swimming Club (grades 7-12)
- Cooking Camp (grades 2-8)
- Games and Obstacle Course (grades 3-8)
- Family Ice Skating at NSC
May - Wetlands Month
7th grade students in Mrs. Skauge’s Panther Time class made poster displays about Native Prairie plants for the Northtown Library to celebrate May Wetlands month.
MN ACDA Honor Choir
This year, six students from Westwood were chosen to sing in the 4-6 MN ACDA Honor Choir! The students were selected out over 1,000 auditions from all over the state of Minnesota, and the students practiced very hard for five weeks with a final performance on Saturday, April 29! The students who participated are as follows: Choir 1: Elysia Solheim, Natalia Melendez, Natalie Ketz, Kirsten Kosbab, and Noemi Brown. Choir 2: Sam Williams.
Congratulations, singers!
Persuasive Speeches
Students in Ms. Davé's class presented their persuasive speeches. First, students wrote their speeches and then planned their visual aids. Students had to practice their speeches and present them to audiences around the school. Overall, the feedback was so empowering and encouraging that students wanted to present multiple times to different audiences. It is true that "Practice makes perfect!"
Here are some topics that students chose to present:
- Julia Dierkhising: "Happiness is a part of success"
- Olivia Vertalino: "Softball is a harder than baseball".
- Reese Badzinski: "Schools should have a bigger variety of fruit served daily"
Well done, everyone!
Vocal Essence
On Wednesday, April 26, the 5th and 6th grade choir students had the opportunity to work with a guest choral conductor! Dr. G. Phillip Shoultz, from St. Thomas University and the choir Vocal Essence, spent the morning and afternoon at Westwood teaching the students new ways of using their voices, vocal techniques, singing games, and the history of some important pieces. The singers performed some of their upcoming spring concert music for him and he added fun dance movements, community building strategies, and more! Thank you to Dr. Shoultz for spending his time with our choirs! We look forward to our 6th grade choir concert on May 9 and the 5th grade choir concert on May 11!
5th Grade Choir sings National Anthem
On Monday, the Westwood 5th Grade Choir started a new annual tradition for the 5-8 choirs - the singing of the National Anthem at home SLP athletic events! The singers sang the National Anthem prior to the girls' varsity lacrosse game against Maple Grove. The singers look forward to singing at future games!
Guest Speaker for AIM students
Aaron Sykes from the National Center for Autonomous Technologies was a guest speaker last at Westwood Middle School for the AIM program 7th and 8th graders. Students engaged in hands-on activities and learned about future career and education opportunities.
Lock-In was another huge success!
Thank you VERY MUCH to the over 60 volunteers, including parents and WW staff, who made this year's lock-in AWESOME! Over 500 Middle School and over 600 Intermediate School students had fun dancing, playing in the gym, posing for photos, eating snacks, winning BINGO, watching movies, and enjoying many inflatables - including boulder dash, human foosball, spinning ninja training, human hungry hippos and more!
Staff Appreciation!
Staff Appreciation week is coming! Thank you to everyone who signed up to bring prizes and food! You can still spread gratitude by…
- Sending a personal note or email to say “thank you” to a staff member during the week of May 5 - May 11.
- Having your student write a note or email to say “thank you” to a staff member during the week of May 5 - May 11.
Mileage Club Volunteers Needed!
One hour shifts are available between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. It's fun and easy to cheer on students, scan cards, and pass out prizes! Please sign up in our BAND group, click here.
2023-2024 PTO Board
Elections for the 2023-2024 PTO Board will take place at our May 22 meeting. We are especially looking for a secretary and co-treasurer. If you are interesting in joining us. 23-24 Board Vacancies, click here.
Secretary
Co Treasure
- Thursday, May 4: Office hours, 3:30-5 p.m.
- Friday, May 5: No School, staff professional workday
- Tuesday, May 9: 6th Grade Choir Concert at the SLPHS Fine Arts Center
- Wednesday, May 10: Jazz Cafe at Westwood, 7 p.m.
- Thursday, May 11: 5th Grade Choir Concert at the SLPHS Fine Arts Center
- Thursday, May 11: Native American Parent Advisory Committee celebration, 5-6:30 p.m., Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
- Monday, May 15: Live on 65 performance series: Copper Street Brass - FAC, 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 16: MAP Reading, 8th grade only
- Tuesday, May 16: 7th & 8th grade Choir Concert at SLPHS Fine Arts Center, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 17: Talking to Children about Safety Topics event, 6-7 p.m., the Den at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School
- Thursday, May 18: MAP Math, 8th grade only
- Monday, May 22: PTO Meeting, 9:30 a.m.
- Monday, May 29: No school, Memorial Day
- Thursday, June 8: End of Tri 3, last day of school
- 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
- Fostering a natural interest in technology
- Live on 65: Enjoy Copper Street Brass and That 70’s Show
- Make and Take Gift Event for Kids! (May 11)
- Golf for a world-class purpose
- Career Fair forges connections
- Substance Use - Community Resource event (May 6)
- Grace Brandt named the 2023 Athena Award Winner
- Spring brings 'farm to school' meals
- Spanish Immersion learning at Spring Lake Park Schools
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