The Westlake Update
The Westlake Update, Vol V, March 7 - 13, 2021
Westlake High School
#OperationA
#OneWestake
Email: adamsji@fultonschools.org
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/westlakehs
Location: 2400 Union Road Southwest, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 470.254.6400
Week at a Glance
Due to our device refreshment for all students who currently have a Surface 3, it will be necessary for us to reset all login passwords to your DOB. This process will begin on March 8th, 2021 at 9 am. So, if you have changed your password to something other than your DOB, you will experience login issues. To resolve this issue, please use your DOB as your password to log in. Please do not change your password to something other than your DOB until after March 31st, 2021 but keep in mind that it is not mandatory to change your password at all.
For the last 9 weeks of the semester, FCS is requesting parents make a commitment to how you wish your student to learn. This decision extends from March until the end of the semester (May 26).
NO ACTION IS NEEDED IF YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE CURRENT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. Please only use this form to CHANGE your current environment. This election form will close at 11:59 pm on March 12.
FORM TO CHANGE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
*This form should only be completed by parent/guardian
If you desire to change the learning environment for the last 9-weeks AFTER March 15, this can only be done by contacting the Zone Superintendent.
If you have any questions, please contact our Attendance Office at lennon@fultonschools.org
International Week March 8th - 11th
Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready!!!!! Next week is International Week and World languages and IB are partnering with PBIS to celebrate National World Languages Week and our PRIDE in being an IB World school. Students are encouraged to participate daily by dressing in the colors of our featured nations. PBIS points should be awarded to students who participate and turn on their cameras for awards.
There will be special morning announcements in the languages of our featured nations, including interesting facts about each country. We're excited and looking forward to a great week ahead! #ONEWestlake
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me at adamsji@fultonschools.org.
Kind Regards,
Jarvis I Adams, Principal
Assistant Athletic Director - Dr. Ashley Clark (clarkam@fultonschools.org)
This week in sports
Westlake Athletics has a busy week this week. Please come out and support our Westlake Athletics teams. Congratulations to our girls basketball team advancing to the state championship game for the fourth year in a row. They will be playing at The Macon Coliseum, Friday March 12th at 5pm. Please come out to support them and cheer them on as they go for a 4peat. Tickets for Westlake High School athletic events can be purchased at https://gofan.co/app/school/GA5381. As a reminder spectators MUST wear a mask and social distance at all Westlake Sporting Events.
Please stay connected with Westlake Athletics by visiting our website https://westlakelionsathletics.com/ and following us on twitter @WestlakeSports1.
College Virtual Visits (Update below)
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Virtual Visit
You are invited to N.C A&T State University ,Westlake High : Undergraduate Admissions Presentation
When: March 9th, 2020, 05:00 PM EST (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Tuesday, Mar 9, 2021, 05:00 PM
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For additional information about college visits, contact:
Senior Spotlight
Bianca Haslett was selected to receive a 5 Strong Scholarship at Fort Valley State University. This full-tuition scholarship for student leaders provides ongoing support
from “Matriculation to Graduation.” The process was very competitive with three rounds of interviews due to the increased number of applicants. Bianca has also committed to play volleyball as a Fort Valley Wildcat. Congratulations Bianca!
IB Diploma Programme Student of the Month
Madison has always presented herself as a conscientious learner. She is quick to answer questions with authentic and relevant conclusions. Dr. Cook also says that Madison is responsible, motivated, hard-working and an absolute joy to have in class!
IB Middle Years Programme Student of the Month
Ms. Reeves loves teaching Sahara because she participates in all discussions. She takes two classes with Ms. Reeves and is excelling in them both! Sahara attends class regularly and does everything with the spirit of excellence. Her comments during discussions are well thought out and she is an out of the box thinker!
PBIS Student of the Week
Freshmen Spotlight
JROTC Cadet of the Week
Westlake High School JROTC Lions Battalion is proud to announce its Cadet of the Week, Cadet Keenan Robinson. Cadet Robinson competed against eight other Fulton County Schools JROTC program representatives to become the 6th Brigade Cadet of the Year. The assessment included a physical fitness, academic, and institutional knowledge evaluation. In the end, Cadet Robinson emerged victorious and was promoted to Cadet/Colonel, making him the highest-ranking Cadet in all eight schools. We are extremely proud of this young man. He is a natural leader who doesn't hesitate to volunteer his time, assist others in need, coach, tutor, and mentor. Cadet Robinson has already made the decision to serve in the US Army National Guard. He will attend the University of North Georgia and will also become a member of the ROTC program there. We salute him!
Westlake DECA Student of the Week
Congratulations to Kenyia Neal!!!! She was selected for a leadership role in WESTLAKE DECA for the Fall 2021-22 year. She will join the Westlake DECA Executive leadership team. Kenyia will be a valuable asset to the team, she has completed the Marketing track and will provide valuable insight for our new members in the fall.
SkillsUSA Congratulates Our Region 3 Champions
Athletes of the Week
Cire Cray
Donald Davis
Donald Davis was a senior captain for our Varsity Basketball Team. Donald made the All Region Team and was considered one of the best defensive players in the Region 4 AAAAAA. He averaged a double double 12 points and 10 rebounds a game. Thank you Donald for everything that you did for our athletic program. We know your future is bright and can't wait to see you shine. Keep roaring like a mighty lion!!
Christian Johnson
Christian was a senior captain for our Varsity Basketball Team. Christian made the All Region Team and was a 3 point specialist. He averaged 14 points, 3 assist and 3 rebounds a game. Christian is the epitome of a student-athlete at Westlake, in addition to being a great athlete he is also a great student with a 3.6 GPA. Christian, thank you for everything you have done for Westlake Athletics. We can't wait to see what the future brings you. Keep roaring like a mighty lion!!
Westlake February Students of the Month
Caylie Jefferson, 12th Grade
Jay Dunning, 12th Grade
Westlake February Teachers of the Month
Rae Coleman, Fine Arts Department
Holley Hayes, Social Studies Department
SEL Home Connection
Invite your child to talk about this week's SEL lesson and encourage your child to advocate for him or herself by assertively speaking up or self-advocating. For example, if your child is having difficulty understanding a concept class, encourage him or her to talk to their teacher and ask for help. Or if he or she is having problems with a sibling or a friend, ask him or her what he or she can do to solve the problem. Avoid stepping in to solve the problem for your child. Be there to help him or her talk through the problem to figure out how to solve it themselves. Self-advocating is an important life skill that your child will use throughout life.
Parent's Tip of the Week
- Use a checklist or agenda. Writing down assignments and projects in an agenda so that everything due is in their line of sight.
- Use Due dates: Make sure that your student puts due dates next to every assignment or project so they know exactly how low they have to complete the assignment.
- Highlight: Have your child use a color coded highlighting system. This will help with prioritizing assignments and projects. For example: Red=urgent or needs immediate; attention, yellow = due soon; Green = assignment or project due but not a rush. This color coding system can also be used for content areas or level of difficulty.
Counseling Corner
Counselors
Dr. Owens, last names A-Da
Mrs. Crawford, last names Db-I
Ms. Harrison, last names J-O
Mrs. Jackson, (Department Chair) last names O-Se
Mrs. Perry, last names Sf-Z
Mrs. McAdoo, Magnet/IB
Academic and College Resources
WHS Academic Advisement Presentations
Dual Enrollment Informational Teams Meeting
Wednesday, March 10th @ 12:00
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
College Board Virtual College Fair
College Board is hosting virtual events for high school students to connect directly with college admissions representatives and take action on the most important steps for college. Find a list of participating colleges for each fair below.
BigFuture Days Northeast, Sunday, 3/7, 4:00-8:00 PM ET/1:00-5:00 PM PT
BigFuture Days Midwest, Thursday, 3/11, 5:00-9:00 PM ET/2:00-6:00 PM PT
Atlanta Technical College Virtual Dual Enrollment Information Session
Atlanta Technical College will host a virtual dual enrollment information session with our students on March 9th at 12:00. Below is the login information.
Topic: ATC Dual Enrollment Virtual Information Session - Westlake
Time: Mar 9, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86028577330?pwd=QW52YU5lbFFubXl0cVBJLzMya2hmZz09
Meeting ID: 860 2857 7330
Passcode: 7JuX3A
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment Admission Requirements
Dual Enrollment Course Directory
Request Transcript for Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment Informational Teams Meeting
Wednesday, March 10th @ 12:00
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Georgia’s Dual Enrollment Program provides funding for students who are dually enrolled at a participating eligible public or private high school, or home study program in Georgia, and a participating eligible postsecondary institution in Georgia. These students take postsecondary coursework for credit towards both high school graduation or home study completion and postsecondary degree, diploma, or certificate requirements. The program is offered during all terms of the school year: fall, spring, and summer semester or fall, winter, spring, and summer quarter.
Who is eligible to participate in the Dual Enrollment Program?
- Students in the 9th grade are not eligible to participate in the Dual Enrollment Program.
- 10th Graders who have a minimum SAT score of 1200 or minimum ACT composite score of 26 in a single national test administration may enroll in any approved courses listed on the Course Directory at a TCSG, USG or private eligible participating postsecondary institution. Note: GSFC must have the required test score(s) in the Dual Enrollment system prior to the student’s Dual Enrollment funding Application being approved by the high school. All eligible 10th Graders may enroll in approved Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) courses listed on the Course Directory at a participating TCSG institution only.
- 11th & 12th Graders eligible students may take any approved Dual Enrollment courses listed on the Course Directory, at an eligible participating postsecondary institution (USG, TCSG or private). The dual enrollment funding cap is 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.
Application Process for Dual Enrollment
To view a tutorial video of the application process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UoBFlfsNSU
Students attending a Georgia eligible participating public or private high school must complete the online Dual Enrollment funding application.
Application Steps
1. You must complete an Admissions Application for the college(s) you would like to attend for approved Dual Enrollment courses. Application Deadline - Regardless of the institution’s deadline, Fulton County School’s deadline to apply for Dual Enrollment:
- For Summer and Fall Term: deadline to apply is March 30th
- For Spring and Winter Term: deadline to apply is November 30th
2. Once you have completed your portion of the application, your parent/guardian must electronically complete the Parent Participation Agreement section of your application. Your parent will receive an email to complete the online acknowledgment.
- Provide your parent/guardian’s email address.
- Parent/guardian may visit GAfutures.org\DE parent to electronically sign the agreement.
3. Your eligible participating high school counselor must approve your Dual Enrollment courses and funding application by entering the courses that you plan to take through Dual Enrollment. YOU MUST provide the counselor with a list of courses that you plan to take. A list of approved Dual Enrollment courses can be found on the Dual Enrollment Course Directory: https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/scholarships-grants/dual-enrollment/course-directory-2020-2021-beginning-summer-term-2020/.
4. You must be accepted by the college. The eligible participating college must approve your Dual Enrollment courses and funding application.
Naviance
We want to remind you that all students in Fulton County Schools now have access to Naviance, which can be accessed through ClassLink. Starting this year, Westlake will be using Naviance to process and submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other college application documents.
This year as you begin your senior year, we strongly encourage you to visit Naviance to research colleges, careers, and scholarships! After doing your research and once you compile a list of colleges you are applying to you will find that different colleges will require you to apply using different platforms. Below you will find a list of the most common platforms colleges use to have their students apply:
- Common App: https://www.commonapp.org/
- Coalition https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
- GaFutures https://www.gafutures.org/college-planning/
- Common Black College Application https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/
- Individual College Application
Important Changes to Common Application and requesting letters of recommendation: For Common Application, once you create your account, we ask that you NOT invite any teachers or counselors to write letters of recommendation through Common App until after you match your Common App account with your Naviance account. Requesting letters of recommendation in Common App before matching your Naviance account will create errors. Therefore, please hold off on requesting recommendations until after you match your accounts. To learn more about this process, you can watch the Common App Matching video: https://www.screencast.com/t/gxEQkElyo1. Once you match Common App to Naviance, you will then be able to request transcripts and teacher recommendations in Naviance Student.
These videos will help you understand this process better: ·
- Common App Matching: https://www.screencast.com/t/gxEQkElyo1
- Students Requesting Transcripts: https://www.screencast.com/t/Bk6kjS5ySK
- Requesting Letters of Recommendation: https://www.screencast.com/t/VD4X5XiMU
- Naviance Overview Video https://www.screencast.com/t/I4G09d3MlI
We hope that you will find these resources helpful. If you have any questions about Naviance Student and the college application process, please contact your assigned counselor.
Fulton County Community Corner
Rental & Utility Assistance for Eligible Fulton County Residents
FYI - Eligible Fulton County residents living OUTSIDE the City of Atlanta can apply for emergency assistance for rent and utilities (water, gas, power) resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The application portal is NOT yet open. Please review the application checklist and eligibility information in preparation for the online application to open.
Residents must meet eligibility requirements established by the federal government including:
- Incomes less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). (Please review FAQs below for income limits.)
- One or more individuals in the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or can attest in writing that they have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- One or more individuals in the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability which may include a past due utility or rent notice or an eviction notice; or unsafe or unhealthy living conditions; or any other evidence of such risk.
Households affected by unemployment for 90 days or more, and households with incomes at or below the 50 percent of AMI, will be prioritized.
Payments will be made directly to landlords and utility companies. Both parties will need to sign off and provide documentation.
Residents may submit their applications online. Documents may be uploaded directly within the application. Review the application checklist.
Application Checklist
Parent Spotlight
Velasque Gregg Russell
Gregg Russell, a native of Atlanta, GA is a 1988 graduate of Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, GA. He attended Florida A&M University on a baseball scholarship and graduated in 1992 with a degree in Business Economics. He attained his Georgia Insurance license and started his Insurance Agent career in 1992. His Insurance Agency provides Auto, Home, Life and Business Insurance. He is married to Jetawn M. Russell and has 3 kids; Ralph, Raquel and Ross who attend Florida A&M, Westlake High School and Sandtown Middle School respectively. Over the past 15 years, Greg has committed himself by being involved in the South Fulton and Southwest Atlanta community as well as his church; Zion Hill Baptist Church, our cluster schools; Westlake High School, Sandtown Middle School and Randolph Elementary School. Gregg makes annual monetary sponsorships to each cluster school's PTA, Athletic and Band programs.
Velasque Gregg Russell Insurance Agency; 1218 Fairburn Road SW, Suite 104; Atlanta, GA 30331
Office: (404) 799-6444 Fax: (678) 559-0644; e-mail: gregg.russell@countryfinancial.com
AUTO, HOME, RENTERS, LIFE & BUSINESS INSURANCE