WILDCAT UPDATE for Families
TEAM Westridge "Be a Champion" #LookWithin
OCTOBER 2019
Students of the Month
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by their teachers to be the October students of the month. These students have exhibited dedication to academic excellence, have positive attitudes, and consistently follow the Westridge way.
Industrial Tech
- Nick Horlacher
- Ella Von Mosch
Art Explorations
- Lily Coash-Johnson
- Lily Hawkins
Art 2D
- Addison Riley
Art 3D
- Alaina Johnston
Exploring Digital Media
- Bryce Maxwell
Computer Dimension
- Maren Hansen
Career Explorations
- Zoey Sterbach
Journalism
- Alyssa Egbert
As well as these students by their Team teachers:
- Leopards – Eden Cardenas Rangel
- Lynx - Aaron Hernandez
- Pumas – Adam McDaniel
- Jaguars – Ethan Fritz
- Panthers – Allisen Bettes
- Cheetahs- Ayanna Abson
Pep Club & Pizza!
Let's Go!
We are in need of Plastic Bags!
We appreciate all the support we can get!
Journalism
Westridge Blood Drive
Our annual blood drive will be Oct. 22nd.
Use THIS link to schedule your appointment!
Upcoming #GiveHope Event
A community event Westridge hosts is #givehope Thanksgiving Outreach. Please consider signing up to help. The City Center Church supports our staff, students and community in a variety of ways. This is one way we can give back to them.
On the evening of Monday, Nov. 25th, Westridge will host the #givehope Thanksgiving Outreach (organized by City Center Church). Set up will take place on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday during the day – we will transform the gym and MPR into a hospitable setting for 300+ families to receive the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal on Monday evening. More information to come, but pencil it in if this sounds like an opportunity you’d like to be involved in (set up, personal shoppers, cookie/hot cocoa servers, etc.).
Consider helping Sat, Nov. 23, Sunday, November 24 or Monday, November 25
Any questions or want to refer a family who may benefit from #givehope? Contact Amy Nine
Westridge Family Veterans
We are requesting photos and basic information (name, branch, and rank) of veterans as well as family members currently serving in the military.
We are still developing our ideas on how we will display them but we think it is important to recognize those close to our Westridge Families.
Please send information to Kate Brewster at KateBrewster@smsd.org
The Westridge Den
They have worked hard and we are so proud of them!
Included in this week are an analysis of the Area 51 “raid,” the iPhone 11 review, and new Wildcats in the Wild interviews!
News from the School Nurse
Immunizations:
Westridge parents received the first email notification of non-compliance with immunizations for students who have not turned in complete immunization records on August 26, 2019. The second notice was a letter mailed home on September 20, 2019. The nurse’s office will begin making phone call reminders during the first week of October. Please make sure your student is up-to-date with immunizations as soon as possible.
EXCLUSION DATE for this year is FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019.
- All students attending Shawnee Mission schools must show proof of having received one of each of the required vaccinations.
- Students have 60 days to receive subsequent doses of required immunizations after starting school.
- Students who are non-compliant with immunizations after 60 days will be excluded from school attendance until written documentation of required immunizations is received.
- Written documentation of vaccinations must be from a medical provider, health department, or school.
- Students who are medically or religiously exempt from immunizations may not be allowed to attend school if there is an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease for which they are not immunized.
Kansas State Immunization Requirements K.A.R. 28-1-20 defines immunizations required for any individual who attends school or early childhood programs operated by a school.
See also the Kansas Certificate of Immunization form.
- Vision and Hearing Screenings:
- Vision screening is planned for: October 21, 2019.
- Hearing screening planned for: October 30, 31, and November 1, 2019.
Westridge will have vision screenings for all 7th grade students, new 8th grade students, and students with an IEP on October 21, 2019. Some students will have instrument-based screening, some will have eye chart screening, and some will have both. If your child does not pass the screening, you will receive a referral letter and form. Please take the letter and form to your child's eye appointment and return the results to me. If you have any questions, please contact me at 913-993-1207.
- Vision: Vision is screened every two years including Early Childhood, Kindergarten and all students new to the district.
- Hearing: Hearing is screened every three years including Early Childhood, Kindergarten and all students new to the district. Any referrals will be mailed to parents.
- A signed release must be on file for those students exempt from screening per parental request.
- Parents will be notified of failed screenings and given appropriate referral information.
- This year students will have vision screened with the SPOT Screen.
Thank you! Christine Uhrmacher, RN.
Phone: (913) 993-1207
Email: christineuhrmacher@smsd.org
Clubs
- Heart of Wildcat Club - Heart of a Wildcat Club, is a volunteer group serving our WMS family and our community. Hope to see you there.
- Chess Club - will be every WEDNESDAY after school in ROOM 10. Come learn how to play and play CHESS! Any questions? See Mrs. Holder in room 10.
- Bible Club - will meet on Tuesdays until 4:30 in Room 106. Come join us on Tuesdays for Bible fun! Games! Snacks! parties! Everyone is welcome!
- GSA Club - Do you want to lead the way to a more inclusive world? By speaking up for what you believe is right, you can advocate for the wellbeing of all students at our school. The GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) will have their first meeting Tuesday, September 10th, right after school in room 157. Late bus is available. See Mr. Bellotti with any questions.
- Girls Club - Would you like to have time to spend with other young women? Join girls club! We will meet beginning Wednesday, September 11 in room 131 with Mrs. Brewster. If you have any questions, please stop by and see her or send her an email.
- Battle of the Brains - All students (7th and 8th Grade), Battle of the Brains Meeting after school on Tuesday, September 3 in Ms. Nixon’s room (136). If you missed the first meeting, it okay you can still attend. Battle of the Brains is a club where students come up with an idea for a new exhibit at Science City.
Reflections Contest
Entries are due October 18th, 2019, please have them turn in their project and entry form with Benita Holder in room 10. Please contact Becca Wagner with any questions at 913-449-6476 or Becca.wagner@yahoo.com.
Chaos Course Fundraiser
Hi Westridge Families,
We are excited to get the planning of our October Chaos Course Fundraiser underway! We would like to have the student's input on what obstacles they would like to have. We will have a meeting, in the Library, immediately following school on September 19th. We will be done before 4:30.
We look forward to getting this FUNdrasier going! Please contact Erin Herren eherren77@gmail.com or Kristi Nersesian knersesian@locktonaffinity.com if you have any questions!
Spread the Word....It's a new way to earn! (Boxtops)
Have you joined PTSA?
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
Districtwide Fundraising Event
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/
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!
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
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
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