New Format!

Dear Westlake Parents/Guardians-

Welcome to the new format of the weekly update!  My goal is to use this blog post as a means to not only keep you updated on the events and goings on at Westlake, but also to create a more user friendly, engaging approach to our communication.  Below is information similar to our usual weekly newsletter.  My goal is to not have so much repeat information in the newsletter as you will be able to access past blog posts with the information.  Thank you so much for your partnership with us at Westlake and let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Check Drive Derby

From Monday, February 13th to Friday, February 24th Westlake will be hosting a “Check Drive Derby.” If each student collected/donated at least $25 we would raise approximately $28,825 for this wonderful school.  The primary focus for the funds raised is purchasing a digital marquee for WLMS!  The marquee will help our school to increase our communication with our parent/guardians through an engaging display.  Staff will compete “Kentucky Derby” style to raise funds.  Their students may choose a teacher to donate their money towards for the race.  The funds will be updated daily on the race track that will hang in the front foyer of the school.  The teacher they want represented will jockey as they try to pull ahead of the pack.  This is how kids will know how their jockeying teachers is doing.  Obviously the more money the teacher collects the further ahead their jockey will be. The staff member that promotes and collects the most money and crosses the checkered flag first will be given a special prize for their classroom.  All funds will be distributed throughout the school.  To make this an even more fun event students will be given the opportunity to participate in derby hat day, bow tie day, get their picture taken as a jockey during lunches, and a fun horse race by the top three teachers on the last Friday of the race.  Top student fundraiser will earn prizes at each grade level. Watch for updates through Remind! (If you haven’t signed up yet there is information below on how to get Remind messages).

There are several ways you can donate.   You may donate in the form of a check made out to WLMS, cash brought to the main office, or online by going to Westlake.adams12.org and selecting the Check Drive Derby link. 

Please consider donating to help us provide improved communication through a digital marquee for our school. 

Volunteers Needed

Westlake parents/guardians we are looking for volunteers who can walk with the 8th grade leadership class to Centennial Elementary and back during their class period.  We walk on Tuesdays and leave the school around 12:25 and return to Westlake around 1:20.  It is a large class, so we need another pair of eyes and supervision. Perks would be seeing these students interact with elementary students to mentor and play games.  It is a short 8 minute walk each way, so great exercise!  Here is the signup link. Thank you!

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F044AA5A729AAFB6-leadership

BOOK FAIR COMING TO WESTLAKE!!

Need a book to read? Come check out the book fair in the Westlake library the week of February 13 – 16!  Hours are as follows

Monday (13):       8:30am – 4:45pm

Tuesday (14):      8:30am – 4:45pm

Wednesday (15): 8:30am – 8:00pm

Thursday (16):     8:30am – 12:30pm

See you there!!

Parent Teacher Conferences-

PTC are just around the corner on February 15th and 16th so mark your calendars.  Detailed information about the format of conferences will be coming from your student’s teacher teams shortly if you have not already received it.  Please call the school with any questions you might have.  See you at conferences!

PTO Meeting-

Please join us for our next PTO meeting Wednesday, March 1st at 6:30pm in the library.  Your input on this team is very important and needed, so please join our PTO.  

Join Remind!

Would you like to receive reminders or announcements via text message or e-mail?  Sign up for Remind notifications for your student’s grade level.  Below is information on how to get signed up.

Follow the links below to sign up for the grade level(s) you would like reminders for:

6th Grade    https://www.remind.com/join/wlms6

7th Grade    https://www.remind.com/join/wlms7

8th Grade    https://www.remind.com/join/wlms8t

Release of Students-  

If a student needs to be checked out of school for any reason, a parent/guardian must come into the main office and show proper identification before the student will be called from class and released. Office personnel will not call students out of class early to wait for the parent/guardian. This is done to avoid students missing instructional time and for the safety of our students.

Main Entrance Check-In – Any visitors to Westlake must enter through the main entrance and check in to the main office. Westlake is equipped with an Aiphone which allows Westlake office personnel to admit building visitors. Visitors will approach the Aiphone, press the button, and identify the purpose for the visit. Visitors will also be asked to have their identification available prior to entrance into the building. Visitors will not be granted access without identification.

Breakfast at Westlake Middle School – Just a reminder that Westlake Middle School serves breakfast daily before school from 8:00-8:25 a.m. in the cafeteria. The meal includes a main entrée, fruit, and milk for $1.65. Students on free or reduced status eat for free. 

Dr. Rachel Heide

Westlake Middle School

Principal

Follow me on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/dr_heide