Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
March 31, 2021 - Newsletter
See translation information below / Consulte la información de traducción a continuación.
Westwood Families,
Students have been enjoying the fresh air outside each day during recess. It feels like spring. Another sure sign of spring is the 7th graders are starting their frog dissection unit, PE classes are headed outside and students are prepping for concerts.
SLP Schools Online – expanding to K-12
As we engage in spring activities and events, we also are looking to next year and learning from this year of pandemic. We’ve offered a full-time online high school experience for many years and we are now expanding it to all grade levels, K-12, for the 2021-2022 school year.
There are several unique components to the SLP Schools Online experience – and different approaches by grade level. Take a look at the information in today’s newsletter and complete the interest form if you want to learn more or have questions.
State testing – MCAs/MTAS:
Each spring, students across Minnesota take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) or the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS). Westwood students in all grades take some combination of these tests. The tests measure how well schools and individual students are doing in advancing towards meeting state standards for reading, math, and science.
This year, we are being required to administer the MCAs/MTAS tests in person, and we will do so in May. Families received a message earlier today with more information about the tests and the process to opt-out if you choose.
Please remember it’s a short week and there is no school on Friday, April 2. I hope all of you have a wonderful long weekend.
Sincerely,
Tom Larson
Principal
Second free meal pick-up location now available for families
Centerview Elementary School has been added as a second location for families who participate in the free meal pick-up program. Spring Lake Park High School continues to be a pick-up location. As a reminder, free meals are available to all children in our community ages 1-18.
At Spring Lake Park High School, free meals are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 a.m. at door #33. On Tuesdays, families will receive two-days’ worth of meals. On Thursdays, families will receive three-days’ worth of meals.
At Centerview Elementary School, free meals are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the front entrance of the school. On Tuesdays, families will receive two-days’ worth of meals. On Thursdays, families will receive three-days’ worth of meals.
When you arrive at these locations, please stay in your vehicle as the meals will be delivered directly to you.
Questions? Contact Jane Sweney, SLP Nutrition Services Program Assistant at jswene@District16.org or 763-600-5041.
COVID-19: School and classroom data replaces county-level case rates
In the middle of February, the state released revised guidelines for school to follow for grades 7-12. County-level case rates are no longer the primary driver in learning model transitions. School and classroom level infection rates now drive local decisions for schools.
Any transitions to a more restricted learning model will be guided by local experience – infection rates, staffing or other local factors. A school might transition to distance learning if infections reach a critical threshold (similar to a 5 percent flu rate in a normal year). A classroom or group may need to transition to distance learning based on exposure to active COVID-19 cases. Any situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the regional support team. If you have questions, please contact our school office.
Last Call for 8th Grade Baby Photos for the Yearbook!
Questions may be directed to Mrs. Powell, kpowel@district16.org.
School Bus Passes
Families of 8th graders: High school registration is open, virtual registration sessions are April 7
Registration is open for the 2021-2022 school year. Students and families now have the opportunity to check out what's new, including choices for school-based, flex (hybrid) schedules and online learning.
Visit SpringLakeParkSchools.org/hsregistration - your "hub" for registration information. You can explore the online course guide, download the course catalog, access worksheets and find information sessions for live and recorded sessions.
Students will be learning about registration from counselors during their school day over the coming weeks. In addition, families are invited to attend one of three virtual kick off sessions just for 8th grade families on Wednesday, April 7, at 8 a.m., noon, or 6:30 p.m. Not able to attend live? No worries, a recorded presentation will be available and shared with families after the event.
Wednesday, April 7: Join us "live"
Click on the WebEx links at the designated time on April 7 to join the session and enter the password. Password: Panthers2021
- 8 a.m. virtual session - WebEx Link
- Noon virtual session - WebEx Link
- 6:30 p.m. virtual session - WebEx Link
Want to get a head start? Check out this brief video tour of the high school. The high school team also is offering families of students in grades 9-11 registration information sessions on April 1 & 6. While the information is not tailored to families of 8th graders, you are welcome to join. Find the WebEx links at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/hsregistration.
If you have questions throughout this transition to high school, we invite you to reach out to us at 763-600-5100.
Interested in learning more? SLP Schools Online expands to K-12
Spring Lake Park Schools is expanding its 13-year-old online school from grades 9-12 to all grade levels for the 2021-2022 school year. A year of learning through the pandemic has created an interest in the next phase of our Spring Lake Park Schools approach to online learning.
Students who choose SLP Schools Online will cover the same concepts as their in-school peers but tailored to an online environment. The focus is on helping students develop both academic and life competencies aligned to state standards. Learning advocates (SLP teachers) are connected to each learner to help guide and support the learning.
Read more about SLP Schools Online K-8 and 9-12 learning models. Interested or have questions? Please complete this brief interest form. We’ll be hosting information sessions in the coming weeks for families who express interest in SLP Schools Online as an enrollment option for 2021-2022. Student and family interest will guide next steps.
Locura de Marzo
The next Westwood PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
We are looking forward to working with all of our parents and families this year to support the staff and students at Westwood.
Visit the PTO Facebook page: Westwood Intermediate and Middle School PTO
- Click here to receive email notifications about Westwood PTO.
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
Resources for families: Responding to current events
- Resources to Help Educators, Adults Respond to Racism, Violence and Trauma (MDE)
- Talking to Children about Tragedies & Other News Events (AAP)
- Anti-Racism for Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide for Fighting Hate (Parents)
- Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism (PBS)
- Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Parents and Educators (NCTSN)
Other Topics:
Translate This Message / Traducir Este Mensaje
To translate this newsletter information to another language, please click anywhere on the newsletter to open it in a web browser and at the top of the page, select your language from the dropdown menu.
Para traducir la información a otro idioma, por favor presionen en cualquier lugar del mensaje para abrirlo en un navegador web y en la parte superior de la página seleccione su idioma del menú.