Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
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January 11, 2023 - NEWSLETTER
Westwood Families,
We have settled back into school routines after winter break and the snowy start to the year. While we have a regular school week this week, please remember there is no school next Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday.
Later this month, on January 25, we will welcome Kate Gladdin to Westwood as a speaker for our 7th and 8th grade students. Kate joins us through our partnership with the Thumbs Up
organization. She is a resiliency expert who shares her story along with tips and strategies on how to deal with the tough stuff that life can sometimes bring. Learn more at KateGladdin.com.
Families and community members are invited to hear Kate’s same talk on January 26, 2023 at 6 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center at Spring Lake Park School. The talk will be paired with a health fair at Spring Lake Park High School in the Rotunda where families can learn more about community resources. See more information in the newsletter below.
Enjoy the long the weekend.
Tom Larson
Principal
Calendar for the 2023-2024 school year
Planning ahead for the 2023-2024 school year? Check out the At a Glance calendar for the 2023-2024 school year to find important dates.
Key dates include:
- Tuesday, September 5 – First day of school for grades K-8 and Lighthouse students, orientation for grade 9 students and grades 10-12 students new to the high school
- Wednesday, September 6– First day of school for returning grades 10-12 students who are not new to the high school
- October 16-20 – Fall break
- November 23-24 – Thanksgiving break
- December 22–January 1 – Winter Break
- March 8-18 – Spring Break
- Thursday, June 6 – Last day of school
Disney's Frozen Jr. Auditions!
We are looking for an amazing cast of talented 7th and 8th graders to perform, build and create a show that will thrill and delight our audiences. We will do a promotional tour to the elementary schools, where you will become instant icons to the kids!
What: Auditions for actors and technicians
When: Tuesday, January 17
Where: Ms. Howard's choir room, E182
- Callbacks: Thursday, January 19: room E182
- Performance dates: March 2-4, 2023
You don’t need to prepare - or have any theater experience - to try out for acting or tech, just a desire to perform and learn! Come and be part of this wonderful theatrical experience!
Community Event — Jan. 26: Kate Gladdin, Resiliency Speaker
Kate Gladdin is a speaker and coach who specializes in uplifting teens and developing their resiliency. Her talks help reduce student anxiety by teaching the power of ''response-ability'' which is the ability to choose a response to any situation based on your perspective of it. Learn more at KateGladdin.com.
In partnership with the Thumbs Up organization, Kate will bring her message to Westwood Middle School and Spring Lake Park High School Students the week of January 24 during the school day.
Families and community members are invited to the same talk on January 26, 2023 at 6 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center at Spring Lake Park School. The talk will be paired with a health fair at Spring Lake Park High School in the Rotunda where families can learn about community resources.
Through Kate's talk, students will learn how to:
Recognize the impact of negative thoughts and self-talk
Understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and reactions
Use a simple 3-step strategy to quickly change unhelpful thought
Identify sneaky negative beliefs and transform them
Develop a growth mindset during times of adversity
For questions, contact Abbey Pierce.
Students in Marketing and Entrepreneurship class make their Shark Tank pitches
Spring Lake Park High School juniors and seniors pitched their business ideas “Shark Tank style” to a panel of judges – gaining valuable insights and feedback from industry experts. Five finalist groups presented before winter break to an audience of peers, teachers, family members and “the sharks.”
The energy in the room is palpable as students present their ideas for new business products and services to a panel of industry leaders. They are apps for personal finance, pants that charge your electronic devices, innovative school lunch plans and jazzed up picnic blankets. Behind the scenes, they have been preparing for this moment since the beginning of the school year.
The top prize was awarded to “Brace Alert,” an invention by juniors Jaelyn Comer and Brianna Vandewiele. Read the full story about the Shark Tank experience and view the photo album of presentations and the finalists.
8th grade families: Registration timelines for the 2023-2024 school year
Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is almost here. Over the coming weeks, there will be opportunities for 8th graders and their families to learn more about Spring Lake Park High School, including course offerings, program options, graduation requirements and athletics and activities.
Registration will officially open on January 30. As we prepare for the opening of course registration, please be aware of and mark your calendar for important timelines and events happening over the next few months.
- Monday, January 23: Registration materials, including a registration catalog, interactive course guide and recorded presentations on important topics will be available at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/HSregistration.
- Monday, January 30: High School registration opens for the 2023-2024 school year. Students register for classes in Infinite Campus.
- January 31 and February 2: Join an online family information session for a general registration overview. Choose a date that works best for your schedule. Recordings will be available following the event.
- Tuesday, January 31, 5:30 p.m. | WebEx Link
- Thursday, February 2, 10 a.m. | WebEx Link
- Wednesday, February 1: High school and middle school counselors will be working directly with 8th graders to introduce them to the high school and create their first 4-year plan. This will be the first step toward registration for next year.
- Thursday, February 9: High School Kickoff and Registration event for current 8th grade students and families at the high school. Additional details will be available soon.
- Friday, February 24: High school registration closes for the 2023-2024 school year.
Please note, whether you attend information sessions in-person or online, you will receive all of the same great information. Questions? Contact the High School office at 763-600-5100.
Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride - this Saturday
Join us this Saturday, January 14 for a special horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy trails of Bunker Hills Park. There will also be bonfires and S'mores to enjoy before and after your ride. The perfect way to spend a winter day! Sign up today.
Panther Puzzle Palooza - February 11
Calling all puzzlers! Find a team and put your puzzle skills to the test in the first-ever Panther Puzzle Palooza Jigsaw Competition on February 11. Teams of four will work together to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle as quickly as they can. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishing teams. Bonus: there will be a "Puzzle Swap" so bring your gently used puzzles to swap for others that are new to you. Sign up today.
Community Education has experiences and classes for all to enjoy! Check out all of the current offerings.
Building Roller Coasters
Students designed and built a working roller coaster in groups. Students worked through how conservation of energy applies to the roller coaster. This includes gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and friction.
Students used foam pipe insulation, tape, and marbles. The lesson guides students to a deeper understanding of how engineers must learn fundamental physics before design.
Nordic Skiers Compete
On Saturday the Nordic Ski Team competed in the nation's largest high school ski meet with nearly 1000 skiers taking to the ski trails.
- The boys placed 37th out of the 56 teams competing. Philip Kram placed 12th in the classic race while Reilly Kopp led the freestyle event in 96th.
- The girls' team placed 33rd out of 57 teams. They were led by Milla Erickson in the classic event in 60th and Saga Fahlgren in 89th in the freestyle division.
Vikings for the Win!
On Monday, Noah Schommer from Ms Post's class lead the cafeteria in cheering on the Vikings by beating the Viking SKOL drum cheer during 5th grade lunch to celebrate the Vikings making it into the playoffs.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
On Friday, January 6, Westwood Intermediate had their first assembly! We crowned our Rocker, Paper, Scissors champions, built some snow people in a race, and played sticky pick up! We finished the assembly by having a school wide sing along to Frosty the Snowman. It was great being together to build our school community! We can't wait for our next assembly!
Outstanding Panthers!
Outstanding Panthers students were selected by their team teachers. These students have set great examples for their peers. They are kind, respectful and helpful. Students was presented with certificates and a t-shirt during Friday's Pep Fest.
- Monday, January 16 – No school, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Tuesday, January 17 - Middle School Play Auditions - E182 (Ms. Howard's room)
- Thursday, January 19 - Westwood School's Office Hours - 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, January 23 - PTO Meeting
- Monday, January 23 - 8th grade registration recorded presentation available
- Wednesday, January 25 - Thumbs Up Presentation (middle school students)
- Thursday, January 26 - 4th grade transitioning to 5th grade Parent Information -WedEx
- Friday, January 27 - 8th grade band go to high school - 7:45 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
- Monday, January 30 - High School registration opens
- Wednesday, February 1 - 8th graders go to high school
- Thursday, February 2 - 4th Grade Transition to Westwood: Personalized Small Group In-Person Meeting
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