Newsletter Archives

Thank you for supporting a great year of learning for your child at Westwood. The year has brought many friendships and learning opportunities to our students. We started the year with our students moving to teams. Within these teams, teachers have gotten to know their students, which allowed them the ability to engage students in their learning and foster their talents. Below are just a few of the many highlights of our school year:

• Implementation of Rachel’s Challenge and student groups to support building a positive culture at Westwood
• Spanish Immersion grade 5 joined Westwood allowing us to increase programming in the target language of Spanish for both grades 5 and 6
• All students were placed on teams providing opportunities for staff to get to know each child as a learner and work together to meet their needs
• Full hour for Panther Time in grades 7 and 8 so teachers can work with individual kids, build a team community and provide time for students to retake tests during the school day
• Panther Foundation donated gaga pit – the kids used them in 7/8 PE and had a blast
• New STEM and Maker Spaces both on the intermediate and middle school sides of the building for kids to actively learn and work with materials
• Implementation of the new Bridges Materials in grade 5 to build conceptual knowledge in mathematics

These are just a few of the highlights, as well as the individual accomplishments that your child has had. 

Congratulations to all of our 8^th graders! We wish you well at the high school next year.

iPad Collection Date June 5

iPads will be turned into the tech department for the summer. The iPads should be turned in with the cover and iPad. If there is damage to the iPad a picture will be taken of the damage and a report will be filed to fix the iPad along with the damage fee to parents.

Media materials are due to the library next week. If your child has something checked out from the media center they will receive a notice from Mrs. Kennedy.

Washington D.C.

This past week a group of our 7th and 8th grade students visited Washington D.C. During their time in D.C., they were able to see our country's past, present, and future through monuments, museums, memorials, and historical sites. Students spent time walking through the several Smithsonian Museums, The Holocaust Museum, The Library of Congress, Mt. Vernon, Ford's Theater and the Newseum, just to name a few. It was a fantastic trip and one they will be sure to remember. 

May Upcoming Events

• Thursday, May 23 - 8th Grade Trip to Spring Lake Park High School, 9:10-10:45 a.m.
• Thursday, May 23 - Ms. Becker and Ms. Anderson 7th Grade Reading Intervention Field Trip, Mission Manor, 10:15 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
• Thursday, May 23 - 6th Grade Band Concert, 7 p.m., FAC
• Friday, May 24 - All checked out media material is due
• Friday, May 24 - 6C Field Trip, Blainbrook and Aquatore Park, 9:15 a.m.- 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 28 - Student ambassador Field Trip - Feed My Starving Children, 9-11 a.m.
• Wednesday, May 29 - 7th Grade Red Team Field Trip, Mpls Sculpture Gardens and MIA, 8:55 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 29 - 5th Grade Band Concert, 7 p.m., FAC
• Friday, May 31 - 7th Grade Yellow Team Field Trip, William O'Brien State Park, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

June Upcoming Events

• Monday, June 3 - Gr. 7/8 End of Trimester - Science/Social Studies
• Monday, June 3 - 5A Aurelia Park, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 4 - Gr. 7/8 End of Trimester - Math/ELA
• Tuesday, June 4 - 5C Aurelia Park, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 4 - 5B Showcase, 10-11 a.m. or 1:30-2:30 p.m., 5B Pod
• Tuesday, June 4 - 5A Field Trip, Shoreview Community Center, 11:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 5 - 8th Grade Award Ceremony, 7:15-8:15 a.m., Cafeteria
• Wednesday, June 5 - Grade 7/8 End of Trimester - Electives/Make-Ups
• Wednesday, June 5 - iPad Turn-In Day, all morning
• Wednesday, June 5 - 6A Aurelia Park, All Day
• Wednesday, June 5 - 5A Field Trip, Children's Theatre Company (rescheduled due to snow day), 9 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
• Thursday, June 6 - 5th Grade Spanish Immersion, Aurelia Park, 9:30-11:45 a.m.
• Thursday, June 6 - 8th Grade Field Trip, Valleyfair, All Day
• Thursday, June 6 - 7th Grade Field Trip, Nickelodeon Universe, All Day

The Westwood PTO would like to thank all of the parents for their support throughout the year. We had a successful fundraiser with part of these donations helping us purchase a large piece of equipment for our playground.

• 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-August 15. Contact Chris Lammers, Westwood Activities Coordinator at clamme@district16.org if you have any questions. 

Summer 2019 - Open for Registration

Various summer camps are now open for registration. Camps for basketball, volleyball, football, theatre, speech and many other great options are available. View the full schedule and registration information.

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.

Yearbooks

We will start selling any remaining yearbooks beginning on Tuesday, May 28, in the main office. They will be sold on a first come, first serve basis until we are sold out. Cost is $30, payable by cash or check. Students will get their yearbooks in June. 

Grade 7 and 8 End of Year Field Trips

The last day of school is Thursday, June 6. Our 7th graders will be heading to the Mall of America - Nickelodeon Universe for a day of unlimited rides and fun. Our 8th graders will be taking their annual end of the year trip to Valleyfair. If your child has an annual pass to Valleyfair, they may use that and forego the cost of this trip. They will still need to turn in a signed permission slip. Permission slips were sent home with students this week. All students must have a signed permission slip on file to attend these field trips. We also have extra permission slips available in the main office.

We are excited to provide these opportunities for our middle school students after a year of hard work.

8th Grade Award Ceremony

Invitations were mailed out this week to the families of our 8th grade award recipients. The 8th Grade Award Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 5 in the Westwood Cafeteria. Continental breakfast will be served at 7:15 a.m. and the program will begin at 7:30 a.m. This event is always a highlight of the school year as it provides one final opportunity to recognize those 8th grade students who have excelled throughout their time here at Westwood. This event is by invitation only, if you have received an invitation, we hope you are able to join us in honoring these exceptional students.

Our students have been busy working on a plethora of research-based and STEM projects. Team 6B just wrapped up their History Day projects. Students researched a historical figure learned about their life and the impact they made in our country. They then hosted an Open House to showcase their work for parents and family. 

Grade 8 STEM students are building a boat that must carry one person across a pool without sinking. These students will be heading over to Spring Lake Park High School and testing their designs in the swimming pool. They will have three minutes to row their boat across the pool. The materials they are using consist of clean plastic and cardboard. 

The students on team 5B are using the 3D Design process of Discover, Design, Deliver to improve Westwood. These are all examples of how the staff is personalizing learning at Westwood. Each student is engaged in meeting the standards while working on something that they have chosen and interests them.

Washington DC

A group of 7^th and 8^th graders are headed to Washington D.C. for an extended trip. While visiting Washington D.C., students will visit many of the memorials, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, Smithsonian museums and more. Thank you to Beth Visser and Deanna Enstad for organizing the trip.

Tentative Teams going into the next school year:

Grade 5

• Ecker, Golmen, Munter, Rademacher, Open
• Dave’, Fields, Stewart, Olinger
• Sowards, Olson, Golanowski, Pickens (Looping)
• Merced, Hayle, Rodriguez, Pena Cruz (Spanish Immersion)

Grade 6

• Linden, Dohmen, Danley, Schneider, Utes
• Post, Fritze, Thornborrow, Rosales, Major
• Cox, Nelson, Allen, Open
• Rivera, Peña-Kennedy, Horst, Open (Spanish Immersion)

Grade 7

• Clement, Visser, Anderson/Becker, Eschrich
• Backman, Stewart, Ganske, Open
• Czech, Larson, Clark, Leet

Grade 8

• Crimmins, Carlson, Bury, Nimlos
• Putz, Powell, Detert, Kidd
• Muehe, Johnson, Backman, Pearson

8th Grade Awards

Our 8th Grade Award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 5 in the Westwood Cafeteria at 7:15 a.m. with a continental breakfast and the program beginning at 7:30 a.m. This event is always a highlight of the school year as it provides one final opportunity to recognize those 8th-grade students who have excelled throughout their time here at Westwood. This event is by invitation only. If your student is one of those being honored, you will receive an invitation by U.S. Mail. If you do receive an invitation, we hope you are able to join us in honoring these exceptional students.

May 16 menu change:

• Mini Maple Pancakes
• Cheese cubes
• Assorted Fruit
• Veggie Choice
• Assorted Milk

End-of-Year Panther Store Celebration Sale

The Panther Store is holding an End-of-Year Celebration sale until June 6, 2019 at the SLPHS Panther Store and online. This is the best time of the year to stock up on your SLP Pride Gear! There will be a 20 percent discount off of everything in store and online. Extended store hours available. Learn more about the Panther Store sale.

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.

You’re Invited: Native American end of the year celebration

Who: Spring Lake Park Schools’ Native American students and families are invited

What: Our end of the year celebration will be catered by Brian Yazzie. He focuses on bringing together local indigenous ingredients from the streams, rivers and forests to revitalize healthy indigenous cuisine. Check out his website at www.yazziethechef.com.

Where: Spring Lake Park High School Stadium Suite

When: Thursday, May 30, 6-8 p.m.

RSVP: Please RSVP in one of the following ways by Friday, May 17 

• Online: Complete the Google Form by scanning the QR code or by filling out the Native American end of the year celebration reservation form.
• Email: sbyrdz@district16.org 
• Phone: 763-600-5081

It’s time to collect student iPads

As the 2018-2019 school year nears the end, it is time for students to turn in their district-owned iPads. Students should backup their devices by following the directions here. All devices will need to be wiped, or erased, and all accounts logged out including Find my iPad and Apple ID before turning in devices. Students will receive information on this process at school.

Students will turn in their devices starting Friday, May 31. Learn more about the upcoming iPad collection.

Panther Foundation Seeking Candidates for Board of Directors

The Panther Foundation, Spring Lake Park Schools’ Education Foundation, is currently seeking parents, alumni, community members, business leaders and staff who have a passion and commitment for the students and families in Spring Lake Park Schools. The Foundation is looking for individuals who are ready to share time, talents and resources as a member of the board of directors.

If you are interested, send any questions or a completed application to Colleen Pederson, cpeder@district16.org. The application can be found on our website – pantherfoundation.org. To be considered for the term beginning July 2019, please submit your application by May 10, 2019. 

Learn more about joining the Panther Foundation Board.

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.