Newsletter Archives

Thank you to all of our students and staff for your support of our cancellations and flexible learning days. This was our first time attempting to accomplish this and we learned some things that went well and areas we will continue to improve on. The communication out to the parents and students regarding the cancellations of school also went well. We will continue to improve on the flexible learning day designs and implementation.

After feedback from parents, students, and staff, we learned that with the flexible learning days our seventh and eighth graders did not lose four days of learning – with all of the days off in one trimester this is significant. Students and parents reported being appreciative of some consistency with school work. In the future when planning we will be looking at having a clear way to post/inform the students and parents about the assignments in one location or similar folder in Schoology. Teams need to work together when making decisions about the amount of work assigned so we do not overload students – typically 20-30 minutes per class for grades seven and eight and less than two hours total for grades five and six. Staff should also consider time for students to work on the assignments they have yet to complete or studying for future tests. While we can’t predict the weather, we should be mindful about prepping the kids earlier in the year on the logistics of the flexible learning days and where materials are located, including a heads up on what they might need to bring home from school. Overall, the flexible learning days were a success and I again want to thank you for your support and patience as we move forward with learning at the forefront of our decisions and work this year.

• The next PTO meeting is February 11, 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.
• Volunteers are needed for our Scholastic Book Fair February 13-22. Click here to sign up!

The Spring Lake Park Speech Team took first place at the Champlin Park Rebel Speech Invitational!

12 middle school and high school students competed in the event which took place on January 26. Four students from Spring Lake Park made it to finals with one of them double entered. Josh Archibong took first in drama. Sana Wazwaz took first in creative and second in prose. Reece Wenholz took third in original oratory and Paige Lier took fourth in drama. Way to go Panthers!

Speech is a great opportunity to further students' speaking and confidence skills. Good luck to the middle school team, who will have their first middle school-only meet this Thursday, February 7 at South St. Paul. 

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 this week and will 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 5-8. 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.

High School Track and Field

Students in grades 7-8 students are eligible to join the high school Track team. If you are interested in participating in high school Track, please plan on attending the pre-season meeting on Monday, February 11. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in Room B205 at Spring Lake Park High School. If you have questions, click here to go to the Track and Field page on the school website. Updates will be posted there until the season begins.

Spring Intramurals

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

• Weight Training
  • Tuesday/Thursday
  • March 19-April 18
  • Coaches: Mr. Luecke/Mr. Fields
• Volleyball
  • Monday/Wednesday
  • March 20-April 17
  • Coach: Mrs. Resch
• Floor Hockey
  • Tuesday/Thursday
  • March 19-April 18
  • Coach: Mrs. Baldy
• Run/Track Club
  • Tuesday/Thursday
  • April 23-May 30
  • Coaches: Mrs. Baldy and Mrs. Zobitz
• Ultimate Frisbee
  • Monday/Wednesday
  • April 24-May 29
  • Coach: Mr. Waldon

Current Activities

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 p.m.-4:40 p.m. for 7th and 8th graders and 3:15 p.m.-4:40 p.m.for 5th and 6th graders
• Specific activity each day

Girls Strength and Conditioning

• Instructor: Mrs. Pfeifer
• Where: MS Weight Room
• When: Tuesdays and Thursdays - Jan. 22 - Mar. 7
  • After school until 4:40 p.m.

Grades 7-8 Middle School Boys Basketball

• Registration is closed
• Practice every day after school
• 7th Grade Coaches - Ms. Eschrich and Ms. Kidd
• 8th Grade Coaches - Mr. Fields and Mr. Waldon

Click here to view the Westwood Middle School Basketball Schedule 

Westwood students may stay after for the game with a parent present. If a parent is not present to supervise their own child, the student will need to wait in the cafeteria and will not be allowed to attend the game.

Knowledge Bowl

• Practice: Tuesdays in Mr. Johnson's room

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.

Eighth Grade Registration Night at Spring Lake Park High School is Tonight

Tonight, Wednesday, February 6, is the Spring Lake Park High School (SLPHS) Eighth Grade Registration Night and Opportunity Fair for our current eighth 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 had a dean from SLPHS at Westwood on February 4 to discuss high school registration with our eighth graders during their Language Arts classes. 

The SLPHS Eighth Grade Registration Night and Opportunity Fair will be held at Spring Lake Park High School rom 4:30-7 p.m. The address is 1100 81st Avenue NE, Spring Lake Park.

Learn more about the SLPHS Information Night here

Registration Information Night at Westwood School

Information Night is scheduled for our current grades 4-7 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 Westwood and ask questions later this spring.

• Information Night for current grades 4-5 - Tuesday, February 12 from 6-7 p.m.
• Information Night for current grades 6-7 - Tuesday, February 12 from 7-8 p.m.

Winter Conferences

Westwood 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 - 4:30-8 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. 

Grades 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 a fun opportunity for our students to showcase the work that they have been doing all year. We hope to see you there!

Attendance Letters

We have been working with InClass Today to develop a process to identify and communicate with families of students who are chronically absent from school. Feedback from parents also helped refine the process. The first round of absence reports was sent in fall 2018 and we are now ready to send the next round of reports. Students in grades 6-12 who have missed school - either excused or unexcused - for more than five percent of school days since the start of the school year will receive an absence report in the mail. The next round of reports will be sent beginning Friday, February 8. Click here to read more about SLP's effort to reduce absenteeism.

Westwood Book Fair

Westwood will have a Book Fair in the middle school Den beginning February 19. There will be preview and purchase times during the day for students as well as during evening conferences. The schedule for the Book Fair is below:

• Friday, February 15 - Open during conferences - 8 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 19 - Open during conferences - 4:30-8 p.m.
• Thursday, February 21 - Open during conferences - 4-8 p.m.

8th Grade Yearbook Baby Photos

It's that time of year to start looking for your cutest, most adorable baby picture for the Westwood yearbook. Please send in a 4x6" baby picture of your choosing in an envelope addressed to Mrs. Powell, Room 208. You will receive your photo back, so please put your full name (first and last) and Panther Time teacher on it. Photos need to be turned in by Friday, February 8! They will be returned within a few weeks.

Chanhassen Dinner Theatre 

The Westwood Music Department is offering an optional evening field trip to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre on April 18. This trip is now open to all 7th and 8th grade students in band and choir. Students may pick up a permission slip in the main office or from any music teacher. Completed permission slips and payment should be turned in to your student's music teacher. Tickets are selling quickly and are on a first-come, first-serve basis, make sure to get your permission slips in soon!

Art Adventure

Thank you to the parent volunteers that presented 59 Art Adventure presentations to our 5th and 6th graders during the month of January!

Art Adventure is a program that engages students with artworks from the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection. This program brings reproductions of works of art from the museum to the classroom. Volunteers are trained on three sets of six pieces of art at the MIA and then visit classrooms to share the works of art with our students and lead them in a fun active discussion.

This year's theme was "Friends, Family and Community." Ask your child about what they saw as representations of family and how that is similar or different from them.

Calendar

• 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 - Friday, February 22 - Westwood Book Fair, Den
• Tuesday, February 19 - Grades 5 and 6 Conferences, 4:30-8 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
• Thursday, February 28 - Grades 7 and 8 Musical "Annie" performance, 7 p.m., FAC
• Friday, March 1 - Grades 7 and 8 Musical "Annie" performance, 7 p.m., FAC
• Saturday, March 2 - Grades 7 and 8 Musical "Annie" performance, 2 p.m., FAC

Centerview, Westwood and SLPHS 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
  • Centerview Elementary, Thursday, February 7, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Kindergarten Information and Enrollment Sessions
  • Centerview Elementary, Thursday, February 7
• 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, February 6 - 8th Grade Registration Night and Opportunity Fair, for families and students currently enrolled at Westwood. 
  • Wednesday, February 20 - Explore SLPHS Information Nights for prospective students not currently enrolled at Westwood

15th Annual Panther Foundation Gala Tickets are still available 

Tickets are still available for the biggest celebration and fundraiser for Spring Lake Park Schools, the 15^th Annual Panther Gala, held on February 23 at Mississippi Gardens.

On Monday, January 28, the Panther Foundation approved $24,000 to bring GaGa Ball Pits and a ninth grade Summer AP Program to SLP Schools. These projects are just two examples of the Panther Foundation’s impact, totaling over $1.7 million dollars since 2004. The event features games, silent and live auctions and music entertainment.  Buy your tickets today to be a part of the work and support our schools, our staff and our students.

Tickets will sell quickly, purchase your gala tickets today

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

SLP Schools continues partnership with InClass Today to reduce absenteeism

This fall, Spring Lake Park Schools partnered with InClass Today, an organization that has proven success of reducing chronic absenteeism in other school districts across the country.

We have been working with InClass Today to develop a process to identify and communicate with families of students who are chronically absent from school. Feedback from parents also helped to refine the process.

The purpose of the absence reports is to help parents and guardians keep track of their student’s absences, and help their student stay motivated to reduce future absences. The reports also help to emphasize the importance of attending school on a regular basis. The use of these regular absence reports can significantly reduce student absenteeism. The report is designed to be easy to read by all families.

If you would like to check your child’s attendance at any time, you can do so by logging into Campus Parent Portal. If you have any questions about your child’s school attendance, feel free to contact your child’s principal.

Learn more about SLP's partnership with InClass Today

Parent-Child Sweetheart Dance 

Back by popular demand, the Spring Lake Park Recreation Department, the SLP Lions Club and SLP Community Education are teaming up to offer this fun evening. Moms, dads, grandparents, sons and daughters are all invited to join us for some great family fun during our Parent/Grandparent + Child Sweetheart Dance. 

Enjoy quality time with your children in a fun environment. Children will receive a take home “swag” bag with goodies! Casual or formal dress wear welcome. Snack and refreshments will be included. 

Date, location and cost 

• Friday, February 8, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Spring Lake Park High School Cafeteria
• Fee: $7/pair (Adult + Child)
• Additional fee of $3.50 for each additional participant 

Register today for the Parent-Child Sweetheart Dance 

If you have trouble registering online or have any questions please call 763-792-7201

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 

Parent-Child Sweetheart Dance 

Back by popular demand, the Spring Lake Park Recreation Department, the SLP Lions Club and SLP Community Education are teaming up to offer this fun evening. Moms, dads, grandparents, sons and daughters are all invited to join us for some great family fun during our Parent/Grandparent + Child Sweetheart Dance. 

Enjoy quality time with your children in a fun environment. Children will receive a take home “swag” bag with goodies! Casual or formal dress wear welcome. Snack and refreshments will be included. 

Date, location and cost 

• Friday, February 8, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Spring Lake Park High School Cafeteria
• Fee: $7/pair (Adult + Child)
• Additional fee of $3.50 for each additional participant 

Register today for the Parent-Child Sweetheart Dance 

If you have trouble registering online or have any questions please call 763-792-7201

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!