WILDCAT UPDATE for Families
TEAM Westridge "Be a Champion" #LookWithin
AUGUST 2019
Welcome Back from your Westridge Family!
Jeremy McDonnell
Jenny Collier
Wendy Morris
Principal's Message
Westridge Students and Families,
It’s time for the 2019-2020 school year to begin and we are so excited to get started. I hope you all had a safe, relaxing, and exciting summer.
We have several new staff on TEAM Westridge:
- Kristin Sittig - Math 7
- Emily Colebank - Math 8
- Larissa Spare - ELA 8
- Stephanie Wilkerson - Computer Dimensions
- Kasey Orlik - SS 8
- Linda Williams - SPED/Resource
- Patricia Smith - School Psych
- Patty Zecy - Speech Lang. Path.
- Paul Klipowitz - Para
- Teresa Drake - Para
- Chaunzetta Bolin - Para
- Aiesha Coby - Para
- Benjamin Cox - Para
As you get your schedules and you are wanting to make changes, you need to contact Pedro Miller (7th Grade Counselor) and Lori Jankowitz (8th Grade Counselor) . They will do their best to get students into the classes they want. The last day to make elective class changes will be on Friday, August 16th. I have listed their email addresses below.
pedromiller@smsd.org (7th Grade)
lorijankowitz@smsd.org (8th Grade)
Our office staff returned to work July 24th and the building is now open from 8:00am-4:00pm. If you have any questions, please give us a call or come by the office.
New Parent Orientation
- Tuesday, August 13 (5:30P-6:30P) in the Westridge MPR
- For parents new to Westridge, this is a fantastic crash course in school policies, procedures and transition into middle school.
Back to School Night
- Tuesday, August 13 (6:30P-8:30P) in the Westridge MPR
- This is a great way for parents to meet their child's teachers and experience a taste of your middle schooler's daily schedule.
Again we are very excited for the start of the year. Please check the Westridge webpage for all of our upcoming events https://westridge.smsd.org/ and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@WRidgeMS), Facebook (Westridge Middle), & Instagram (@WRidgeMS) as we share our story. We will also be sending a newsletter out at the beginning of each month to share important information.
Do not hesitate contact the office if you have any questions.
Go Wildcats!
Mr. McDonnell
Be A Champion - #LookWithin
Critical Tip - Please ensure your email and contact information is up to date in Skyward.
- Westridge communication is frequent
- Electronic communication (skylert/skyward will access the email you have entered
Online Verification Now Live for Remote Access
Please call the office if your need support.
Westridge Registration, Online Verification and Fee Payment Details
- Please have your student's SMSD ID Number (this is located in Skyward if you are unsure)
- Major Credit Cards and Debit Cards are accepted
- Please print and/ or screen shot your receipt for reference throughout the year.
FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL
7th Graders ONLY: Monday, August 12, 2019
- 7th Grade students will report for a full day (8:45A-3:45P)
- NEW 8th graders may attend this day as well, please contact Lori Jankowitz (8th grade counselor) to set this up. LoriJankowitz@smsd.org
All Students (7th/8th) Report: Tuesday, August 13, 2019
- 7th/8th Grade students report for a full day of school
- All students should bring their school supplies this day.
PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO REVIEW THE STUDENT HANDBOOK BELOW.
BEGINNING & END OF SCHOOL DAY
Please note that the building opens at 8:05 for students. Students should not arrive to school before 8:05AM. School personnel are not available for supervision until that time. Students who arrive between 8:05 and 8:25AM are to proceed directly to the MPR unless they have a pass to meet with a teacher. At 8:25, students will proceed to their Wildcat Hour. Breakfast is available from 8:20AM-8:35AM.
At the close of each day at 3:45PM, all students have 5 minutes to either exit the building or report to work with a teacher, attend academic support, serve a detention, or participate in an after-school activity. School buses depart at 3:52PM from the bus drive. All students, unless they are involved in an after-school activity should be picked up by 4:05PM.
There is no supervision available before 8:05 or after 4:05. To help ensure the safety and security of our students, parents/guardians need to make arrangements on a regular basis to have their student arrive and depart within the designated times of 8:05 and 4:05.
Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures
Bus drive: We have many buses so this area is only used for bus traffic. No cars should be in this area.
Parking Lot: Students should not be entering or exiting cars from the parking lot. Cars should only drop off or pick up students in the car lane. Please use extreme caution in order to keep everyone safe.
Car Lane: It is extremely important that cars use the car lane if they are dropping off or picking up students. Cars should stop along the curb to pick up or drop off students.
Students who walk to school or ride their bikes need to utilize crosswalks.
NOTE: Car traffic will be stopped to allow for our buses to depart. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Westridge Athletics
- Students must have the required paperwork on file before they are allowed to participate. Copies of the Athletic Packet will be on hand at Registration dates, and copies are also available in the office. This packet includes the KSHSAA Physical, Concussion Form and Distance Running Form.
There are many opportunities for our students to be involved in athletics. Sports available to Westridge students are (by season):
Fall (Aug - Oct)
- Girls Volleyball (7th and 8th)
- Cross Country (7th and 8th)
Early Winter (Oct - Nov/Dec)
- Wrestling (7th and 8th)
- Girls Basketball (8th Grade Only)
Late Winter (Jan - Mar)
- Boys Basketball (8th Grade Only)
There will be a fall sports parent meeting on Wednesday, August 14th. It will be at 6:30 PM in the MPR.
Athletic Director - Jenny Collier, jennycollier@smsd.org
Athletic Coordinator - Jessica Schmitt, jessicaschmitt@smsd.org
If your child is planning to participate in an athletic activity at Westridge, they will need to have a physical on file before they can practice/participate. Please have your doctor fill out the physical paperwork using the KSHSAA form. This is the only form that will be accepted.
PHYSICAL FORMS: The first link below is the physical form in English. The second link below is the physical form in Spanish.
- The athletic physical must be dated on or after May 1st, 2019.
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Westridge is a certifying organization for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Students ages 11-15 can earn the Award with a minimum of 50 hours of community service in a 12 month span. At Westridge, we use the dates March 30, 2019 to March 30, 2020. A tracking sheet is attached. Also, students can pick up a tracking sheet outside of the office or outside of room 150. To learn more about the Award visithttps://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/the-award.
Seventh grade ELA teacher Ms. Larvie collects tracking sheets until the deadline on Monday, April 6 and orders the awards for Awards Night in May.
CLOTHING CENTER is OPEN!
We have many resources in our area that can help families who have clothing needs. Please visit https://www.smac-pta.org/clothing-exchange! And see the information below.
The Clothing Exchange offers gently used clothing and shoes to those within the SMSD boundaries. All items are clean. Donations are made possible by SMSD residents. Racks are sorted by item and by size, with seasonal and holiday themed items throughout the year. Formal wear and interview attire is also available. All residents are welcome!
Free and Reduced Meals
Free and reduced priced breakfast and lunches are available for students who qualify. A new application (per family) must be completed each year. For more information about SMSD food services and Free and Reduced Meals visit: https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/food-service The application for Free and Reduced meals can be completed at https://www.schoolcafe.com/
BackSnack
Meet Your PTSA!
Gwyn Dill
Maria Purviance
Marie Pittmon
Erin Herren
Kristi Nersesian
Julie Eisentrager
Darci Robinsion
Deanna Cox
Christina Middleton
Kristy Campion
Anne Perigi
Rivers Partin
Other Important Numbers:
- SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER: Officer Dana Harrison 913 993-1206
- DS BUSING: 913 384-1190
- BOOKKEEPER: Ms. Lourdes Morales 913 993-1201
- NURSE: Ms. Christine Uhrmacher 913 993-1207
WEST IS BEST
Are after-school activities like sports and scouts breaking your bank? West is Best Scholarship Fund can help! West is Best is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to helping students (including elementary and middle school students) in the SM West attendance area participate in after school activities. West is Best provides scholarships for up to 75% of the cost of equipment, uniforms, and some registration fees for boys or girls to participate in sports and scouts.
Want to make a difference in your community? Since 2012, West is Best has provided over $51,000 in scholarships to West area kids in grades K-12. We couldn’t have done it without the help of hundreds of donors. If you’d like to apply for a scholarship, donate to West is Best Scholarship Fund, or for more information about West is Best Scholarship Fund, click the following link: www.westisbestscholarshipfund.com
WESTRIDGE WAY & GOALS FOR LIFE
The Westridge Way is to be respectful, safe, and responsible. Please reinforce The Westridge Way with your student at home in daily interactions and with laptops.
Goals for Life:
- I can make good choices even when I am mad.
- I can be okay (do the right thing) even if others are not okay.
- I can do something even when I don’t want to or it’s hard.
Westridge Middle School Contact Info
Website: https://westridge.smsd.org/
Location: 9300 Nieman Road, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-1200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.mcdonnell.927
Twitter: @WRidgeMS
Twitter Handler:
@WRidgeMS
Many of your student's teachers/classrooms also have a Twitter account! It is great to see all the great things happening at Westridge!
Follow us on Instagram:
@WRidgeMS