Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
September 16, 2020
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Westwood Families
Students were ready to go and excited to be back at school both in person and online. Thank you for helping us put it all together. After just a few days of learning, we are all learning new routines both online and at school. We’ve had some specific questions about what learning looks like on learning at home days. These days will look and feel different for students in different grades and learning models.
- Students in Modified Campus Schedule (Hybrid) at grades 5 and 6 will have specific times for live sessions with their teachers in reading and math and additional recorded and independent work on days they are learning at home.
- Students in Modified Campus Schedule (Hybrid) at grades 7 and 8 will not have live session but will have a balance of recorded learning opportunities with their teachers and/or independent work on days they are learning at home.
- Students in Extended Flexible Learning, please refer to the overview for grades K-6 and overview for grades 7-12 for information on the balance of live, recorded and independent learning.
As you have questions, please reach out to your child’s teachers or to our office. We are all learning together.
Pick up and drop off at school
If you are picking up or dropping off your child at school, please pull up to the curb. We do not want students crossing through traffic to enter/exit your vehicle. Students will be waiting for parents along the North side of the parent drop off lanes. When dropping off your child in the morning, students can enter the main entrance. Please follow the flow of traffic by using the following map.
Office procedures
A few reminders about our office procedures for this year:
- If your child needs to leave early during the school day: Write a note for your child. Students will bring the note to the office in the morning. Office staff will write a pass for your child to leave school early.
- If you are picking up your child early from school: Ring the buzzer outside the main entance. Show a form of identification at the camera. We will call your child down to the office to meet you outside / at your car or by the main entrance. Students can only ride their own busses this year; we will not write bus passes for students.
What we’re hearing
These are some comments we’ve received from our staff, students and parents:
- “I love all of my teachers this year – this has been the best year ever.”
- “I am really able to connect with the kids when they are in person learning this year. We need to maintain this level of personalization throughout the year.”
- "Thank you for putting my kid with teachers who are caring, organized and awesome."
- “My child’s EFL teacher has made the start of this year easy, organized, and welcoming. She has consistently provided feedback and assistance. Her communications have been clear and accurate. She has been able to keep track of each student during WebEx classes and has communicated her expectations to the kids clearly and consistently.”
We want the above to be the experience of each our students and families. As always, if there is something you need please give us a call or send an email to your child’s teacher, my office staff or administration. It has been great to see all of our students back and hear from our parents this week either in person or online.
There have been many smiles behind the masks and screens – their eyes light up with excitement to be back at school.
Tom Larson
Principal
First Days of School of the 2020-2021 School Year
It has been a great first few days welcoming back our students both online and in-person! Check out the district-wide First Days of Schools Flickr Album.
Technology Resources To Help You Right Now
Having trouble remembering your parent passwords? Not sure how to log in to Schoology? Wondering how to fix an iPad that isn't working properly? We’ve gathered links and information in a hub for you on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log Ins page. This week, based on questions our technology team is receiving, you may want to check out these specific resources:
Parent Passwords
Our troubleshooting tips on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log ins page include information on parent passwords. Here are a few tips:
- If you don't have a district parent username, please contact techsupport@district16.org
- In many cases, you are using a district created username and password, which means clicking a "forgot my password" links on pages within Campus and Schoology will not work. To change your district password, go to the SLP Password Portal. The link and other information is located under Troubleshooting tips on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log ins page.
- Seesaw is a parent-created account. If you need to change your Seesaw password, you will reset your password through the Seesaw website.
Student Usernames and Passwords
- All students grades K-6 should have received a password card from their child's teacher. Please contact your teacher if you have not received your login information.
- Usernames and passwords are the same for students as last year. If you are having issues with your username and password, please contact techsupport@district16.org.
iPad Tips
- If you are having issues with your iPad not working, visit the iPad Support page.
- If you are missing any needed apps, go to Self Service to download the apps. Learn about using Self Service on an iPad: https://youtu.be/2ct5F7WYFEs
Schoology Tips
- If you are logging into Schoology from a computer, use this link. Watch this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/nw5fGcE3V30
- If you are logging into Schoology from the app, make sure to select Log In through your School and type in Spring Lake Park Schools. Watch this video to learn more:https://youtu.be/2uKgxgdQuRU
- Check your parent settings and preferences for the year to receive Schoology updates. Watch this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/sspti8sls4Y
Seesaw Tips:
- To log into Seesaw, click on the Clever app, scan the QR code and click on Seesaw. (The QR code you got from the district will not work on the Seesaw Class app - only the Clever app)
- Students need to be logged in through the Seesaw Class app to see and submit work. The Seesaw Family app is for parents to view completed work and communications.
Find this information and so many more tips and video tutorials about these applications and others on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log Ins page.
Nutrition Services Lunch Option Update
Starting Monday, September 21, Westwood Intermediate and Middle School students will have a choice of a hot or cold entree for lunch. These meals are free due to our district's continued participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all children ages 1-18 in our community. All meals will be free until December 31 or until funding is exhausted. Learn more: https://bit.ly/35Fqe4m
Visit the SLP Nutrislice page to view breakfast and lunch menus.
Important COVID-19 Procedures Information
Daily Health Self-Screening
Staff, students, parents and visitors of Spring Lake Park Schools must self-screen for symptoms at home daily before coming to school (also called passive screening) using the Daily Health Self-Screening Checklist. If a person is sick or exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, they MAY NOT come to school.
Procedures for Close Contact, Illness and Notification Fact Sheet
We are following guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our schools and programs. We work directly with MDH on any potential close contacts and positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 and follow their direction for contact tracing, notification and other critical actions. The Procedures for Close Contact, Illness and Notification Fact Sheet defines the specifics and explains the process for our schools in more detail.
Register for Grade 5 Student Band
Calling all 5th Graders! We Want You! Registration for 5th grade band is taking place NOW through Friday, Sept. 25. Even though this school year looks a bit different, 5th graders still have the opportunity to learn a band instrument, so sign up now. To learn about this exciting opportunity, visit the website to:
- Learn about Band!
- Learn about the Instruments and which one to play!
- Learn about how/where to get an instrument!
- Register for Band!
Band Instrument Rental Fee Payments
Band teachers will talk about rentals in band classes with students. Please, do not pay for a rented instrument until your child talks to a band teacher first.
Rental fees for band instruments is $100 for the school year and may be reduced based on your family's free/reduced lunch application.
To pay for the instrument rental fee, please visit this website and follow the steps to create a parent account.
Classroom Behavior Expectations
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.
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