Newsletter Archives

SLPHS Theatre Presents- “Anything Goes”

Music, dance, laughs and the age-old tale of Boy Meets Girl– no musical puts it on stage better than Anything Goes! A hilarious shipboard romp wrapped around one of Cole Porter’s most magical scores, Anything Goes is delightful, delicious and de-Lovely.

Performances dates:

• Friday, April 26, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 27, 2 p.m.
• Friday, May 3, 7 p.m. 
• Saturday, May 4, 7 p.m.
• Sunday, May 5, 2 p.m.

All performances will be held at the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center. Purchase your tickets today. 

It's time to sign-up for summer child care and camps and clinics!

Looking for summer activities for your student?

Spring Lake Park Schools Community Education is offering sports camps and clinics, child care, driver's education and more! Learn more about summer opportunities here.

Spanish Immersion Update

Each year we look at the Spanish Immersion programming from a K-12 perspective. Last year as part of the reconfiguration, we adjusted the grade 6 program to be a full immersion 70/30 model meaning that 70 percent of the day for our sixth graders is in the target language of Spanish. As we move into next year, we will be changing the Grade 7 and 8 core content area of social studies to the target language of Spanish. We will offer both regular and honors in the target language. The most important part of continuing an immersion education in the middle grades is to have two courses offered in the target language of Spanish for students to maintain and grow their language proficiency of speaking, listening and writing. We will adjust the course registrations for science and social studies for students in both regular and honors. If you would like to change your child's registration to English Social Studies please contact your child’s dean for next year.  

MCA Testing

Last week, our students completed their first round of MCA testing. On Thursday and Friday, students took the MCA Reading test. Tomorrow and Friday students will be taking the MCA Math test. In Grades 5 and 8 students also take the MCA Science test, which measures science proficiency standards. The MCA Science test will be the second week of May. Some important notes for testing:

• Students should be well rested
• Students should be on time for school on testing days
• Bring your fully charged iPad to school
• Bring your charger
• All cell phones must be left at home or in your locker during testing

April Upcoming Events

• Thursday, April 25 - MCA Testing - Math
• Friday, April 26 - MCA Testing - Math
• Friday, April 26 - 5C Field Trip - Fort Snelling, 10:15 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
• Monday, April 29 - PTO Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Westwood Den
• Tuesday, April 30 - 4th Grade Band Orientation & Registration Night, 6:30 p.m., Westwood Cafeteria

May Upcoming Events

• Thursday, May 2 - Festival of Nations Field Trip, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Friday, May 3 - 8th Grade Blue Team Field Trip, Taylors Falls, All Day
• Monday, May 6 - Jazz Cafe, 7 p.m., Westwood Cafeteria
• Tuesday, May 7 - MCA Testing - Science - Grades 5
• Tuesday, May 7 - Ms. Howard's 6th Grade Choir Concert, 6:30 p.m., FAC
• Tuesday, May 7 - Mr. Black's 6th Grade Choir Concert, 7:30 p.m., FAC
• Wednesday, May 8 - MCA Testing - Science - Grade 8
• Thursday, May 9 - 8th Grade Choir Concert, 7 p.m., FAC
• Monday, May 13 - MAP Testing - Reading - Grades 5-8
• Tuesday, May 14 - MAP Testing - Math - Grades 5-8
• Tuesday, May 14 - 7th Grade Choir Concert, 7 p.m., FAC
• Wednesday, May 15 - Friday, May 17 - Washington D.C. Trip
• Thursday, May 16 - 6A Field Trip - MN History Center, 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Monday, May 20 - 8th Grade Band Concert, 7 p.m., FAC
• Tuesday, May 21 - 7th Grade Band Concert, 7 p.m., FAC
• Thursday, May 23 - 6th Grade Band Concert, 7 p.m., FAC
• Wednesday, May 29 - 5th Grade Band Concert, 7 p.m., FAC

• The next PTO meeting is Monday, April 29, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in the Westwood Den.

• Visit the PTO Facebook page: Westwood Intermediate and Middle School PTO

• Click here to receive email notifications about PTO.

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.

Registration Spotlight: Westwood Summer Open Gym

Spring Lake Park students entering 6th through 8th grade can register for Westwood Open Gym this summer. Open Gym will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday beginning June 11 through August 15. Contact Chris Lammers, Westwood Activities Coordinator at clamme@district16.org if you have any questions. Online registration is now open for this fantastic summer opportunity.

Spring Intramurals and Clubs

Click here to register for any of the activities listed below.=

• Run/Track Club - Spots still available
  • Tuesdays/Thursdays
  • April 23-May 30
  • Coaches: Mrs. Baldy
• Ultimate Frisbee - Spots still available
  • Mondays/Wednesdays
  • April 24-May 29
  • Coach: Mr. Waldon

Westwood Drop-In

The Westwood cafeteria Drop-In Center will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for homework help and 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.

• Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays
• Open to all Westwood students at 2:45-4:40 p.m. for 7th and 8th graders and 3:15-4:40 p.m. for 5th and 6th graders
• Specific activity each day
• Homework help available

Health Office News

Please be aware that all medications stored in the Health Office will be sent home with students during the last few days of school. If you would like other accommodations to be made, please contact Amanda Boss, RN at 763-600-5304.

Order Your Yearbook

Yearbooks are still for sale! Order one for your child today! Place your Yearbook order online. Cost is $26. When ordering, search zip code 55434 to find Westwood School!

Handicap Parking

During pick-up times in the afternoon the handicap parking areas are only to be used for handicap parking. If you are using this space to wait for your child and you do not have a handicap parking sticker, we will ask you to move. We have also asked the Blaine police to monitor this for us and you will be ticketed if you are parking in a handicap parking space illegally. 

Math Study

Spring Lake Park Schools is evaluating the implementation of our new math framework and resource. Some students may be asked to share with school or district staff their experiences in their math class. Information about students’ experiences will be collected through a structured activity. This activity will involve ranking statements on pieces of paper in order of most to least like their math class. If your child is randomly chosen to participate they would leave their math classroom with a small group of other students for a short period of time, complete the activity with the assistance of school or district staff, and return to class for the remainder of their class time. If you would prefer that your child not participate in the activity, please contact Megan Jahnke at 763-600-5300 by May 1, 2019.

Spring Testing Dates

The spring we have state testing, Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, (MCA). I wanted to make you aware of the dates as you plan for appointments in April.

• April 25 and 26 - MCA - Math Grades 5-8 – (This is a date change from the 24)
• May 6 - MCA - Science Grade 5
• May 7- MCA – Science Grade 8
• May 13 - NWEA Reading - Grades 5-8
• May 14 - NWEA Math - Grades 5-8
• May 14 - AAPPL - Grades 5, 6 and 8 Spanish Immersion and Juntos

Kindergarten Round-Up is Tuesday, May 14

Kindergarten Round-up in Spring Lake Park Schools is another opportunity for families with a child who will enter kindergarten in fall 2019 to learn more about the district’s kindergarten program. You will visit classrooms, go for a bus ride and experience typical activities, which will show you and your child what kindergarten is like. You will have an opportunity to talk more with the principal and classroom staff and turn in any additional enrollment paperwork.

1. Centerview:  9:45-10:45 a.m. or 5:30-6:45 p.m.
2. Northpoint: 9:45-10:45 a.m. or 5:30-6:45 p.m.
3. Park Terrace: 9:45-10:45 a.m. or 5:30-6:45 p.m.
4. Woodcrest:  9:30-10:30 a.m. or 5:30-6:45 p.m.

Each session is planned in an informal open house style so families can arrive and leave any time during the scheduled sessions.

It's time to sign-up for summer child care and camps and clinics!

Looking for summer activities for your student?

Spring Lake Park Schools Community Education is offering sports camps and clinics, child care, driver's education and more! Learn more about summer opportunities here.

SLPHS Theatre Presents- “Anything Goes”

Music, dance, laughs and the age-old tale of Boy Meets Girl– no musical puts it on stage better than Anything Goes! A hilarious shipboard romp wrapped around one of Cole Porter’s most magical scores, Anything Goes is delightful, delicious and de-Lovely.

Performances dates:

• Friday, April 26, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 27, 2 p.m.
• Friday, May 3, 7 p.m. 
• Saturday, May 4, 7 p.m.
• Sunday, May 5, 2 p.m.

All performances will be held at the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center. Purchase your tickets today. 

Dear SLPHS and Westwood Families:

We want to make you aware of an issue that is affecting schools, students and families throughout the state and nation. While the vast majority of our students are making positive choices, schools are seeing more students who are using vaping tobacco products. These products are cheap and easily accessed by teens. The products are often made with candy flavors and are being marketed to middle and high school age students. In conversations with principals in other districts, it is clear that this issue is affecting students throughout the metro area. Student use of vaping products in our district is primarily among high school students, but we want to engage middle school families to increase their awareness and prevent the issue from growing to a larger number of students.

As principals at the high school and Westwood, we are strongly urging parents to be aware of vaping products and intervene with your student if you believe they are using these products. Vaping is more addictive than smoking cigarettes and information released from the CDC and other organizations indicate vaping causes permanent, physical damage to the user. As a result, we focus on and devote curricular time in our health courses and advisories to support our students in making healthy and safe choices as young adults. This learning includes the effects of tobacco, which has been updated to include vaping. Additionally, we have included several links to information about vaping and vaping products to support your ability to discuss the risks related to vaping with your children. Please take time to read this information and to learn more about this issue.

Meanwhile, students who are found using vaping products while at school, or on buses or school property will face appropriate discipline. We will also be partnering with local police departments on potential charges as appropriate. Below are the guidelines we will follow regarding the use of vaping products:

• The use of a vape or vape product will result in an immediate suspension, and the discipline will increase with further offenses
• If a child is caught with a vape vial or bottle that contains THC/marijuana, the police department will be notified since possession of THC is a felony
• Since vaping is also a violation of the Minnesota State High School League rules, students found using a vaping product will lose privileges to compete and participate in sports
• While it is legal for students over the age of 18 to use tobacco and vaping products, using these products at school is not allowed. Our district has a school-based policy that does not allow for the use or possession of nicotine, drugs and alcohol, which is enforced regardless of age.

Along with connecting with students at school, we are reaching out to you proactively, because as administrators and parents ourselves, we ask that you partner with us to decrease student use of vaping products. Again, we included links to resources below to support your conversations about the dangers of vaping with your son or daughter. 

We appreciate your ongoing support and partnership.

Matthew Boucher, Principal, Spring Lake Park High School

Tom Larson, Principal, Westwood Middle and Intermediate School

The websites below explain the dangers of the use of vaping products:

Star Tribune- Minnesota schools battle 'epidemic' of teen vaping

MSN- More than 1.3 million high school student started vaping nicotine in the past year, study says

Surgeon General- Know the risks, e-cigarettes and young people

It's time to sign-up for summer child care and camps and clinics!

Looking for summer activities for your student?

Spring Lake Park Schools Community Education is offering sports camps and clinics, child care, driver's education and more! Learn more about summer opportunities here.

Register for Panther Playtime Preschool

Spring Lake Park high school students in Early Childhood I and II courses will be hosting a Panther Playtime Preschool starting Tuesday, May 14 at the Spring Lake Park High School.

Who: 3, 4- and 5-year old’s. Children must be potty trained.

What: Children who attend Panther Playtime Preschool will work with high school students with a daily theme that includes fun activities, projects and games.

When:

• Tuesday, May 14 – Friday, May 17 from 8-11:10 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 21 – Friday, May 24 from 8-11:10 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 28 – Wednesday, May 29 from 8-11:10 a.m.

Where: Spring Lake Park High School. Please enter at door #1. Children will be greeted in the main office and picked up there, too.

Cost: Free. A light snack will be provided each day.

Registration and Questions: 

Register for Panther Playtime Preschool here

Contact Early Childhood teacher Lori Henry at Lhenry@district16.org or call 763-600-5155 for any additional questions. The deadline to register is Friday, May 3. 

Personalized Learning at Westwood

Personalized learning in Spring Lake Park Schools has four components: What do we want students to learn – What are my interests and talents – Where am I going in my learning – How can I use resources available to me to best learn.  When the four areas are working together students are deeply engaged in their work and learning. A significant part of personalized learning is bringing voice and choice into the curriculum.

Mrs. Bury’s grade 8 Language Arts classes are working on their capstone project. This project consists of students developing how they would like to meet the ELA grade 8 learning targets, completing the research, writing a paper and demonstrating their learning through a media presentation.

STEM students have been busy designing hydraulic bots. Through the design process, students used different materials to create a bot that would flip or push their opponent over and engaged in competitions to determine which design qualities were most successful.

5B students redesigned their pod to represent Colonial Williamsburgh – each student dressed as a character, studied aspects of colonialism and then took on that character/role for the day.

6B students created animal totem poles that represented different characteristics of themselves and wrote how each animal encompasses the character and how it is represented in themselves.

These are just a few of the ways teachers and students are working together to ensure learning is happening in a personalized way at Westwood. 

Spring Testing Dates

This spring we have state testing, Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, (MCA). I wanted to make you aware of the dates as you plan for appointments in April. We have several other testing dates occurring in the month of May as well. 

MCA –– Reading, Grades 5-8, April 17 and 18

MCA – Math, Grades 5-8, April 25 and 26 (This is a date change from April 24)

MCA – Science, Grade 5, May 6

MCA – Science, Grade 8, May 7

NWEA Reading – May 13

NWEA Math – May 14

AAPPL – May 20-24

This past week, AVID students went to the University of Minnesota and attended a lecture on "grit" and the pathway to college. They were able to be part of a busy college campus while getting first-hand information on how to become a college student.

Spanish Immersion camp available at National Sports Center

Students interested in an all-day language immersion experience have an opportunity to participate in the Spanish Immersion Camp at the National Sports Center (NSC) in Blaine. Designed for students entering grades 1-8 in fall 2019, the camp will bring together Spanish language, heritage, sports and interactive games. The camps will be held June 10-August 23.

Register and learn more about Spanish Immersion camp here

Register for Panther Playtime Preschool

Spring Lake Park high school students in Early Childhood I and II courses will be hosting a Panther Playtime Preschool starting Tuesday, May 14 at the Spring Lake Park High School.

Who: 3, 4- and 5-year old’s. Children must be potty trained.

What: Children who attend Panther Playtime Preschool will work with high school students with a daily theme that includes fun activities, projects and games.

When:

• Tuesday, May 14 – Friday, May 17 from 8-11:10 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 21 – Friday, May 24 from 8-11:10 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 28 – Wednesday, May 29 from 8-11:10 a.m.

Where: Spring Lake Park High School. Please enter at door #1. Children will be greeted in the main office and picked up there, too.

Cost: Free. A light snack will be provided each day.

Registration and Questions: 

Register for Panther Playtime Preschool here

Contact Early Childhood teacher Lori Henry at Lhenry@district16.org or call 763-600-5155 for any additional questions. The deadline to register is Friday, May 3.