Westfield Arrow
Aiming to Keep You Informed
September 11, 2020
From the Office
Today, marks the 19th anniversary of September 11, 2001. This morning, we took a brief moment of silence to reflect and remember the men, women and children who lost their lives during the tragic events of that day. Despite our students being born after this historical event, the world they have grown up in was significantly shaped by the events of that September day and the events that followed. We encourage every student to take a moment this weekend to speak with a relative or family friend who recalls the events and atmosphere of that day.
Curriculum Night - September 17th - 5:30 - 7:00pm
This year, Curriculum Night will be held through a virtual format. Today, you will receive a separate email with a link to view Staff Videos. Although no virtual experience can replace walking our hallways and shaking hands with staff, we hope that these videos will provide you with the curriculum and classroom information that you would have received during a traditional in-person Curriculum Night.
Please reference your student's schedule to assist you with selecting the correct video for their grade level, teachers and classes.
In addition to the teacher videos, you will find links to a Google Form where you can submit questions that you may still have after watching the videos. Feel free to submit questions to any of your child's teachers regarding specific aspects of their course. The Google Form will close on Tuesday, September 15th. On Thursday, September 17th from 5:30pm - 7:00pm, each Grade Level team, as well as a combined PE/Exploratory group, will address as many of your submitted questions as possible during live-streamed sessions.
Prior to Thursday evening, parents will receive links through email to join the Curriculum Night sessions for both the Grade Level Team and a link to a combined PE/Exploratory session. A schedule for the evening will also be included in that email.
Attendance Procedures
Students are required to attend each class on their schedule every day. Attendance will be taken by teachers and recorded in PowerSchool. Parents, we ask that you call the Main Office and report any class period absences, including full day absences and Doctor appointments that require only partial absences, similar to a normal school year.
Get the Parent PowerSchool App! Scroll down for more information.
Warriors of the Week
Each week the staff recognizes students for demonstrating outstanding character based on attitudes or actions that fall under the Character Counts Pillars and our WARRIORS Mission and Vision.
Parents, please complete this needs assessment:
Upcoming Dates
Please visit our Google Calendar for all activities and schedules!
- Patriot Day & Remembrance of 9/11: Friday, September 11th
- Live-Stream Curriculum Night: Thursday, September 17th 5:30-7:00pm
- Early Dismissal at 1:40pm: Wednesday, September 23rd Westfield Early Release Schedule
- Student Pictures: Not being held on 9/14. Rescheduled information will be shared
Grade Level News:
WESTFIELD THIS WEEK
Students! Email Westfield Your Pictures for the Arrow and the Yearbook
Email your pictures to: WFyearbook@sd13.org
Get the Parent PowerSchool App
Similar to the PowerSchool Parent Web Portal, parents can download the PowerSchool Mobile App from the App store on your iOS device or the Play Store on your Android device. Simply search for “PowerSchool” to find and install the mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
- After downloading the mobile app to your device, connect the Mobile App to the correct PowerSchool server for Bloomingdale School District 13, by entering our unique four-character code: G M K T
- You can also search for Bloomingdale SD13 by district or school name.
- The PowerSchool Mobile App will display your child(ren)’s schedule and assignments.
- PowerSchool Mobile app users can also enable Push Notifications to receive alerts when attendance is recorded or a final grade changes. To setup notifications within the app: Tap Account, then tap Notifications to configure the notifications you want to receive. Use the slider icons to turn the notifications on or off.
- Note: Parents must have a PowerSchool Parent Web Portal account created and students linked to their account before using the PowerSchool Mobile App. Click here for instructions on how to create a parent Portal account.
Chromebook Trouble?
If you need assistance from the Technology Department, please use this link to request support.
Parents/Guardians: Please Call in Your Student's Absence
Student Expectations for Remote Learning
We ask that all parents take a moment and review the expectations for proper school behavior and on-line etiquette provided in the following links. Please reference our Student Handbook for general policies and procedures and this Virtual Etiquette for Google Meets infographic to assist students with Remote Learning expectations. Thank you!
Extra-Curricular Activities
We are working with staff to create virtual opportunities for students to participate in clubs and performing arts programs. At this time, we are unable to offer traditional athletic programs, however we are working with coaches to design online opportunities for those groups as well. More information about Extra-Curricular offerings for the 2020-2021 school year will be shared in the next few weeks.
How-To Videos
Gmail:
- How to delete all email (6th grade)
- How to appropriately write an email
- You can only email other sd13.org email addresses
- Creating Bookmarks
- Starring and snoozing Emails
Google Classroom:
- How to Join Classroom(with Code)
- How to Join with Teacher Invite
- Check Stream and classwork page
- How to Turn in assignments
PowerSchool: Coming Soon
- Logging in
- Checking grades
- Seeing assignments
- Comments from Teachers
FlipGrid:
Chromebook:
FROM THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS DIRECTOR
FROM THE WESTFIELD NURSE
PARENTS:
The State of Illinois is not waiving the requirements for all students who have mandated health forms (physicals, immunizations, dental and eye exams), even though we are not currently physically present in the schools. Please submit the mandated forms to your child’s school as soon as possible. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact your school’s building nurse for assistance (Westfield Middle School nurse is Beth Jones bjones@sd13.org)
{Students who are transferring into our district from out-of-state must speak with the building nurse.}
The exclusion date for non-compliant students remains October 15th, except for the dental exam which is not due until May 2021.
The required forms are available at your MD/dentist offices and on your school’s website, located under “Health Information”.
Please see below for the grades which have mandated paperwork due October 15th:
Kindergarten (or 1st grade, if your student did not attend kindergarten): physical examination, up-to-date immunizations, eye exam and dental exam. (Dental exam is due in May 2021.)
2nd grade: dental exam. (Dental exam is due in May 2021.)
6th grade: physical examination, up-to-date immunizations and dental exam. (Dental exam is due in May 2021.)
Teenage Depression and Anxiety
WESTFIELD'S PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO)
The PTO Newsletter is coming soon!
When hot lunch returns, we'll use SignUp.com to organize Westfield Hot Lunch Volunteers.
1) Click this link to see our SignUp: https://signup.com/go/xZeejVZ
2) When school resumes, review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
BLOOMINGDALE PARK DISTRICT PROGRAMS
Kids Place Before and after school care