Newsletter Archives

Review of our Behavior Expectation Plan for Students

After a winter break and January being a cold month where the kids tend to stay inside more, the result is often our students have some extra energy. We review our student expectations with the kids after break. It is also a good time to remind parents of our school expectations and responses for our students. The student expectations for Westwood are:

1. I will treat others the way they want to be treated so that our school is safe for each student and adult.
2. My words and actions will be inclusive of others so that each person has a sense of belonging at Westwood.
3. I will be an owner of Westwood to create a school that we are proud of.
4. I will use my voice to express what I need so that I am – We are – Successful at Westwood.
5. I will use respectful words, and actions that align with situations and environments, and be open to feedback.

When students engage behaviors that do not align with the expectations we categorize the behaviors in two different ways:

• Behaviors that result in a physical or emotionally unsafe environment – these behaviors result in immediate removal from class and may include an in school or out of school suspension
• Behaviors that disrupt the learning environment – these behaviors are less severe and are dealt with in the moment of them happening.

Partnership and communication between home and school is important in our ability to provide safe, predictable and caring learning environments. I appreciate the support and communication that you give to both me and the staff at Westwood. 

Grade 5/6 Lock In

We are very excited for our fifth and sixth graders to have some fun at Westwood at our annual Lock In.  Students will enjoy the 40 foot obstacle course, Human Foosball, DJ, Bingo, Movies, pizza, popcorn, and “shaved ice snow cones”. The cost is $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Parents can drop off students at Westwood starting at 5:20 with pick up at 8:00. 

If you would like to volunteer for the Lock In this Friday night, it's not too late to sign up! There are a variety of shifts available, either for all night or half the night. Click here to sign up to volunteer for the lock-in.

NAEP Testing

On January 30, randomly selected eighth students will be taking the the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. The results are released as The Nation’s Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers and the public. If your child was selected to take the NAEP assessment a parent notification went home with students on Monday of this week.

Ms. Ganske's 7th Grade science classes began their exploration of plant and animal cells by examining prepared slides under the microscopes. Students were able to get some awesome pictures of cells with their iPads and add important notes to their notebooks. 

Team 6A hosted an amazing Civil War Showcase this week. They worked very hard and it really showed. The Showcase was very well attended and the students had a lot of fun showing off all of their hard work!

Westwood School has after-school programs, including athletics, intramurals and clubs which are coordinated by Spring Lake Park Community Education.

These activities are supervised and led by certified coaches, licensed teachers and/or knowledgeable staff who emphasize skill development, participation, teamwork, leadership, social growth, sportsmanship and respect for others. Most activities are available to all Westwood students. Activities begin after school starting at 2:45 p.m. for grades 7/8 and 3:15 p.m. for grades 5/6, and run until 4:30 p.m. Activity buses are available.

Girls Strength and Conditioning

Girls Strength and Conditioning Club will begin on January 22 and go through March 7. Click here to register for the Girls Strength and Conditioning Club. The club will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays in the weight room in the middle school. The club is open to all girls in grades 5 through 8. The focus will be on building strength and stamina for each participant. No experience is necessary. The cost to participate is $50. Contact Chris Lammers at clamme@district16.org if you have any questions.

Currently Running Activities:

Westwood Drop-In

The Westwood cafeteria Drop-In Center will be open Tuesday through Thursday for homework help and a daily activity. There is no fee to drop in and all students in grades 5-8 are welcome. Activity buses are available for those students who drop-in.

Math League

The Math League Season Recap and Celebration is January 17, 2019.

7/8 Middle School Boys Basketball

Registration is now closed for this activity. Practice is every day after school. Games start January 17.

Coaches:

• 7th Grade - Ms. Eschrich and Ms. Kidd
• 8th Grade - Mr. Fields and Mr. Waldon

5/6 Intramural Dance

Spots are still available for this activity. Registration is online. Student captains lead the team. Practice is Tuesday and Thursday in the Westwood Cafeteria.

Grades 5-6 Lock-In

Attention grades 5-6 parents - volunteer opportunities are still available for the upcoming lock-in!!

The Grade 5/6 annual Lock-in is this Friday, January 18 from 5:30-8 p.m. We are still looking for volunteers for all of the Lock-In activities, food and refreshments, as well as set up. Click here if you are interested in volunteering for the lock-in. Thank you!

Students can get permission slips from their homeroom teacher or the main office. The cost is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. There will be a DJ, Open Gym, Soccer Fever, Ninja Warrior Challenge, BINGO, Photo Booth and lots more for the kids to do! 

High School Information Night at Spring Lake Park High School

February 6 is the Spring Lake Park High School Information Night for our current 8th-grade students. At this event, you will learn about course offerings, graduation requirements and program options for your soon-to-be high school student. We will have a Dean from SLPHS at Westwood on February 4 to discuss high school registration with our 8th graders during their Language Arts classes. 

The High School Information Night will be held in the SLPHS Fine Arts Center from 4:30-7 p.m. The address is 1100 81st Avenue NE, Spring Lake Park.

Registration Information Night at Westwood School

Information Night is scheduled for our current 4th- and 6th-grade parents on Tuesday, February 12, here at Westwood. This evening will provide the opportunity for families to hear about registration options and programming here at Westwood, as well as time for tours and questions. This evening is designed for parents/guardians only. Students will be given the opportunity to tour and ask questions later this spring.

• Information Night for current 4th Grade - Tuesday, February 12 from 6-7 p.m.
• Information Night for current 6th Grade - Tuesday, February 12 from 7-8 p.m.

Winter Conferences

Westwood School is hosting Parent-Teacher conferences on:

• Grades 5 through 8 - Friday, February 15 - 8 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.
• Grades 5 and 6 - Tuesday, February 19 - 4-8 p.m.
• Grades 5 through 8 - Thursday, February 21 - 4-8 p.m.

There are no scheduled conferences, you may drop in to meet with teachers on any of these dates/times. Conferences are a good time to connect with teachers to see how your child is doing at this point in time in the school year. 

Grade 7/8 Learner Showcase

Students in grades 7 and 8 will be hosting a Learner Showcase on Tuesday, February 19 from 4-6 p.m. here at Westwood. Staff and students have been working hard preparing lots of exciting different ways to show off their talents. We will have displays, interactive activities and much more! This is fun opportunity for our students to showcase the work that they have been doing all year. We hope to see you there!

• The next PTO meeting is February 11, at 5:30 p.m. in the Westwood Den
• The Grade 5/6 Lock-In is this Friday, January 18, from 5:30-8 p.m. Volunteer opportunities are available. Contact Wendi Sroga at wsroga@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out.
• Visit the PTO Facebook page: Westwood Intermediate and Middle School PTO
• Click here to receive email notifications about PTO.

Calendar

• Friday, January 18 - Grades 5 and 6 Lock-In, 5:30-8 p.m., Westwood
• Monday, January 28 - 8th Grade Band Concert, 7 p.m., FAC
• Wednesday, January 30 - NAEP Testing - 8th Grade
   
• Tuesday, February 5 - 5th Grade Band Concert, 7 p.m., FAC
• Wednesday, February 6 - 8th Grade Information Night, 4:30-7 p.m., SLPHS Rotunda and Fine Arts Center
• Monday, February 11 - PTO Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Westwood Den 
• Tuesday, February 12 - Westwood Information Night
  • Grades 4-5: 6-7 p.m.
  • Grades 6-7: 7-8 p.m.
• Friday, February 15 - Grades 5-8 Conferences, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Westwood School
• Tuesday, February 19 - Grades 5 and 6 Conferences, 4-8 p.m., Westwood School
• Tuesday, February 19 - Grades 7 and 8 Learner Showcase, 4-6 p.m., Westwood School
• Thursday, February 21 - Grades 5-8 Conferences, 4-8 p.m., Westwood School

Featured Class: Great Minnesota Hot Dishes

The Minnesota hot dish (elsewhere called a casserole) is one-dish supper (or side dish) baked in your oven using a single piece of cookware. We will: use fresh ingredients (no canned soups) and do easy preparation for a family meal or make impressive elegant company fare for friends or crowd-pleasing recipes for pot luck. Many of these hot dishes can be made ahead, chilled then baked, and there is minimal dish-washing! You Betcha!

Register today for Great Minnesota Hot Dishes

Find other adult and youth community education classes here 

SLP Enrollment Information Sessions 

Spring Lake Park Schools will be hosting information sessions for the 2019-2020 school year. Here is more information for each building:

• Spring Lake Park High School – incoming 9th graders
• Westwood Intermediate and Middle School Information Night 
• Elementary schools - kindergarten
• Preschool

It's time to enroll for the 2019-2020 school year! Check out our schools and programs at the following events.

• Preschool Information Night
  • Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, Tuesday, January 22, 5-7:30 p.m.
  • District Services Center, Thursday, January 24, 4:30-6 p.m.
  • Park Terrace Elementary, Thursday, January 24, 5:30-7 p.m.
  • Northpoint Elementary, Tuesday, January 29, 5:39-7 p.m.
  • Centerview Elementary, Thursday, January 31, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Kindergarten Information and Enrollment Sessions
  • Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, Tuesday, January 22
  • Park Terrace Elementary, Thursday, January 24
  • Northpoint Elementary, Tuesday, January 29
  • Centerview Elementary, Thursday, January 31
• Westwood Intermediate and Middle School Information Nights
  • Tuesday, February 12, grades 4-5, 6-7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 12, grades 6-7 7-8 p.m.
• Spring Lake Park High School Information Nights
  • Wednesday, January 30 - Explore SLPHS Information Nights for prospective students not currently enrolled at Westwood
  • Wednesday, February 6 - 8th Grade Registration Night and Opportunity Fair, for families and students currently enrolled at Westwood. 

15th Annual Panther Foundation Gala Tickets are now on sale

The Panther Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on making a difference for the students of Spring Lake Park Schools. The board is made up of district parents and community members and is entirely funded through contributions and special projects. Each year the Panther Foundation hosts a gala, which is their largest fundraiser of the year and features a silent auction, live auction, games and entertainment.

Tickets will sell quickly, purchase your gala tickets today

Gala Sponsorship spots are still available, click here to learn more and sign-up

Panther Playtime Preschool to be hosted by SLPHS students

Do you have a 3, 4- or 5-year old who likes to play games and participate in fun activities? If so, register them today for the free Panther Playtime Preschool, hosted by SLPHS students taking Early Childhood classes!

Panther Playtime Preschool will take place for eight days, beginning Tuesday, February 5 from 8:10-9:45 a.m. at SLPHS.

Click here to learn more and to register today 

Student Meal Balance Notifications Starting Wednesday, January 16

This fall, Nutrition Services transitioned meal payment processing to Campus Parent Portal Food Service. Starting this Wednesday, January 16, families will again begin to receive student account balance messages.

On Wednesday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m., families whose student’s meal account balance is negative $5 and below will receive an email and text message including the balance and a reminder to add funds for each student. These messages will be sent every Wednesday for each student whose account is negative $5 and below.

Learn more about student meal balance notifications here

Winter break offers us the time to refresh and relax and spend time with our families. I always look forward to our return in January. It is a month full of opportunities! We have band and choir concerts, Grade 5/6 Lock-In, Grade 7/8 musical auditions, boys basketball and intramurals happening. There is definitely a feeling of excitement and energy coming from the students and staff.

As we look forward to February, we have some very special evenings planned for our families.

High School Information Night at Spring Lake Park High School

February 6 is the Spring Lake Park High School Information Night for our current 8th-grade students. At this event, you will learn about course offerings, graduation requirements and program options for your soon-to-be high school student. We will have a Dean from SLPHS at Westwood on February 4 to discuss high school registration with our 8th graders during their Language Arts classes. 

The High School Information Night will be held in the SLPHS Fine Arts Center from 4:30-7 p.m. The address is 1100 81st Avenue NE, Spring Lake Park.

Registration Information Night at Westwood School

Information Night is scheduled for our current 4th- and 6th-grade parents on Tuesday, February 12, here at Westwood. This evening will provide the opportunity for families to hear about registration options and programming here at Westwood, as well as time for tours and questions. This evening is designed for parents/guardians only. Students will be given the opportunity to tour and ask questions later this spring.

• Information Night for current 4th Grade - Tuesday, February 12 from 6-7 p.m.
• Information Night for current 6th Grade - Tuesday, February 12 from 7-8 p.m.

Winter Conferences

Westwood School is hosting Parent-Teacher conferences on:

• Grades 5 through 8 - Friday, February 15 - 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1- 3 p.m.
• Grades 5 and 6 - Tuesday, February 19 - 4-8 p.m.
• Grades 5 through 8 - Thursday, February 21 - 4-8 p.m.

There are no scheduled conferences, you may drop in to meet with teachers on any of these dates/times. Conferences are a good time to connect with teachers to see how your child is doing at this point in time in the school year. 

Grade 7/8 Learner Showcase

Students in grades 7 and 8 will be hosting a Learner Showcase on Tuesday, February 19 from 4-6 p.m. here at Westwood. Staff and students have been working hard preparing lots of exciting different ways to show off their talents. We will have displays, interactive activities and much more! This is fun opportunity for our students to showcase the work that they have been doing all year. We hope to see you there!

Mrs. Leet's 7th grade science classes have been dissecting and learning all about frogs!

Featured Class: Line Dancing 

Let the inner dance come out in this two-week session. We will cover the classics of Slappin' Leather, Tush Push, Electric Slide, Hustle, Bus Stop and more! No partner needed for a night of fun!

Register today for Line Dancing

Find other adult and youth community education classes here

All new After School Adventure classes begin in January for K-4 students! 

Register here by January 14 to take advantage of the early-bird rates and the view class times! Some of the classes being offered include Basketball, Beautiful Drawings II, Science Explorers' Wizard School and more! 

SLP Enrollment Information Sessions 

Spring Lake Park Schools will be hosting information sessions for the 2019-2020 school year. Here is more information for each building:

• Spring Lake Park High School – incoming 9th graders
• Westwood Intermediate and Middle School Information Night 
• Elementary schools - kindergarten
• Preschool

It's time to enroll for the 2019-2020 school year! Check out our schools and programs at the following events.

• Preschool Information Night
  • Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, Tuesday, January 22, 5-7:30 p.m.
  • District Services Center, Thursday, January 24, 4:30-6 p.m.
  • Park Terrace Elementary, Thursday, January 24, 5:30-7 p.m.
  • Northpoint Elementary, Tuesday, January 29, 5:39-7 p.m.
  • Centerview Elementary, Thursday, January 31, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Kindergarten Information and Enrollment Sessions
  • Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, Tuesday, January 22
  • Park Terrace Elementary, Thursday, January 24
  • Northpoint Elementary, Tuesday, January 29
  • Centerview Elementary, Thursday, January 31
• Westwood Intermediate and Middle School Information Nights
  • Tuesday, February 12, grades 4-5, 6-7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 12, grades 6-7 7-8 p.m.
• Spring Lake Park High School Information Nights
  • Wednesday, January 30 - Explore SLPHS Information Nights for prospective students not currently enrolled at Westwood
  • Wednesday, February 6 - 8th Grade Registration Night and Opportunity Fair, for families and students currently enrolled at Westwood. 

15th Annual Panther Foundation Gala Tickets are Now on Sale

The Panther Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on making a difference for the students of Spring Lake Park Schools. The board is made up of district parents and community members and is entirely funded through contributions and special projects. Each year the Panther Foundation hosts a gala, which is their largest fundraiser of the year and features a silent auction, live auction, games and entertainment.

Tickets will sell quickly, purchase your gala tickets today

Gala Sponsorship spots are still available, click here to learn more and sign-up

SLPHS Student Council to Host Free Winter Carnival

The Spring Lake Park High School Student Council is hosting a free Winter Carnival for district elementary students on Friday, January 11 from 6-8 p.m. at SLPHS in the Kenneth Hall gym.

Attend the Winter Carnival for a night of games, crafts, music, prizes and fun!

Panther Playtime Preschool to be hosted by SLPHS students

Do you have a 3, 4- or 5-year old who likes to play games and participate in fun activities? If so, register them today for the free Panther Playtime Preschool, hosted by SLPHS students taking Early Childhood classes!

Panther Playtime Preschool will take place for eight days, beginning Tuesday, February 5 from 8:10-9:45 a.m. at SLPHS.

Click here to learn more and to register today 

Student Meal Balance Notifications to be Sent Starting Week of January 14

This fall, Nutrition Services transitioned meal payment processing to Campus Parent Portal Food Service. Starting the week of January 14, families will again begin to receive student account balance messages.

On Wednesday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m., families whose student’s meal account balance is negative $5 and below will receive an email and text message including the balance and a reminder to add funds for each student. These messages will be sent every Wednesday for each student whose account is negative $5 and below.

Learn more about student meal balance notifications here

Featured Class: "2-left feet" Ballroom Dance

Convinced that you have 2-left feet and that dancing is not meant for you? Learn fun moves and simple tips from a pro to ease your mind when the dancing occasion arises. This workshop takes your old “Swing and Sway” and spices it up with simple, easy moves. You’ll be spinning, turning and twirling before you know it. By the end of the session, you won’t want to let go. Couples only please.

Register today for "2-left feet: Ballroom Dance 

All new After School Adventure classes begin in January for K-4 students! 

Register here by January 14 to take advantage of the early-bird rates and the view class times! Some of the classes being offered include Basketball, Beautiful Drawings II, Science Explorers' Wizard School and more! 

Winter Break Office Hours in Spring Lake Park Schools 

During winter break, the District Services Center (DSC) and other buildings in Spring Lake Park Schools will have different hours.

The DSC will be open the following days from 8 a.m. – noon:

• Wednesday, December 26
• Thursday, December 27
• Friday, December 28

The DSC is closed on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1. Centerview Elementary is open Wednesday, December 26-Friday, December 28 for Learning Ventures Child Care, open from 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Discovery Days, open 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Child care is closed on December 24-25, 31 and January 1. All other schools will be closed Monday, December 24-January 1. =

If you have questions, please contact the DSC at 763-600-5000.

Winter weather has arrived. A few reminders as the temperature drops and the snow starts to fall. Parents and students are notified if we need to cancel school, close early or start late via a voicemail, text or email. The announcement is also posted on our district website at springlakeparkschools.org. If you have not heard anything, school is in session and you do not need to call the office to check.

Throughout the winter, buses may be running late, typically by 10-15 minutes, so be sure your student has dressed appropriately for the wait.

Students in grades seven and eight have the option of going outside for recess during their lunchtime. At the middle school age, students should know how to dress but many go out without a jacket. Students in grades five and six ALL go outside for recess daily. Please be sure your student has the appropriate attire for our winter weather; winter coats, hats, mittens and boots.