Westwood Middle School
November 2021
Westwood Families-
It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of the 1st grading period. Parents can expect report cards via email on Tuesday, November 9th.
We are anxiously looking forward to our transition into our new building the first of the new year and are excited to let the students experience the new classrooms and everything the campus has to offer. More information about the move will be coming in the next few weeks.
As students and staff have settled in to what we believe is our new normal, we want to reinforce some important expectations:
- Lockers were assigned to all students at the beginning of the year. Although some students do not utilize them, it is important that they remain locked with the lock they were issued.
- Students who choose to bring cell phones to school, it is our policy that that they are turned off and out of sight.
- Students in 5th and 6th grade are required to wear masks over their mouth and nose. Students are to supply their own masks.
Important Upcoming Dates:
November 2- PD Day- No School for students
November 5- End of 1st grading period
November 6- DC Basket Auction
November 8- Records Day- No school for students
November 18- Orchestra Concert
November 22-23- Learn from Home days
November 24-26- Thanksgiving vacation
Mrs. Theresa Lengel
Principal
Mr. James Rollence
Principal
DC BASKET ACUTION
Please join us on Saturday, November 6th from 11-2 at Westwood Middle School. There will be baskets available for auction along with concessions. Please come out and support our DC trip.
Westwood Orchestra Concert
Westwood Orchestra Concert
11/18/21
7pm
Eastern Heights Middle School Gymnasium
We are looking forward to our first concert in two years! Students to arrive no later than 5pm for a dress rehearsal and pizza dinner. The concert will start promptly at 7pm.
If you have any questions, please contact
Mr. Yee (yeedavid@elyriaschools.org) or Mr. Smith (smithgregory@elyriaschools.org)
Calendar Adjustment
School Calendar Adjustment
Dear Families,
We are writing to advise you of an adjustment to the school calendar in November.
On Monday, Nov. 22, and Tuesday, Nov. 23, students will not attend school in person. Students will be provided with assignments from their teachers so that they can learn from home on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23.
These assignments will not require the use of technology or Internet to be completed. Teachers will provide students with information on when the assignments are due and how they will be graded.
While students are learning from home on Nov. 22 and 23, teachers and school staff will be engaged in professional development related to classroom learning and safety. They will not be providing in-person or virtual lessons during these days; students will work independently from home on their assignments.
Thanksgiving break begins for students on Wednesday, Nov. 24.
Regular in-person classes will resume on Monday, Nov. 29.
Car Rider Drop off
Those students who are car riders can be dropped off using the following guidance. Please drop your student and continue on. If you wish to park and wait with your student until the doors open please use the parking lot, do not wait in the drop off line.
Please DO NOT drop off students in the bus circle.
Counselors Corner
Under Construction
For those of you who, like me, have been watching the construction at the new Westwood Campus, you have observed the many changes happening. Almost on a weekly basis the building takes on a new look. Just as we have witnessed the physical construction of a building, our lives are also under ‘construction’ on an ongoing basis. All of us are in a constant state of change, hopefully for the better. Every life experience that we face demands that choices are made. Hopefully we learn from our experiences and build and improve on our knowledge and wisdom.
There are many comparisons that can be made between construction on a new building site and the development of young lives. The students entering our classrooms are moving along the continuum to become responsible adults that are a valuable asset to our community. In both cases, a building and a young life, a strong foundation is important to support the construction that will be happening as time goes on. Each grade the student finishes creates a foundation for the next year’s learning, until finally we can enjoy the finished product of an adult that has learned and built knowledge and skills. They both require a large group of talented people willing to invest in the process for a quality outcome. As we build together and invest in the future of our schools and in our students, it really does take the entire village, or city in our case.
Our students face many challenges and changes on a frequent basis from classroom experiences, to things that happen beyond their control. One example would be the changes that the pandemic has brought. The students have had to adjust to a changed normal of less social interaction with each other, and less extra curricular activities. All of the staff here at Westwood are hoping that as the new school building progresses, we can resume normal school activities such as dances, field trips, and incentives that happened before the pandemic. I think we would all agree that the virtual world created by the pandemic is not optimal for healthy social interaction.
The next months will be exciting as we watch the completion of the new building and look forward to setting up our new classrooms there. Let us keep in mind the comparisons between foundations, buildings, and the importance of investing and building the lives of our kids as well.
Brad Miller
Westwood Middle School Counselor
From The School Nurse
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely:
Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated.
Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in communities with high transmission rates.
Outdoors is safer than indoors.
Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Special considerations:
People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated and have received an additional dose. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.
If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
Do NOT put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.
By working together, we can enjoy safer holidays, travel, and protect our own health as well as the health of our family and friends.
Westwood Middle School
Website: www.elyriaschools.org/westwood
Location: 42350 Adelbert Street, Elyria, OH, USA
Phone: 440-284-8017